Siemens Gamesa has called for greater clarity from US policymakers on incentive schemes available to wind project developers in a new white paper.
The report focuses on decisions that can help wind turbine manufacturers and developers leverage recently passed climate legislation, grow the country’s renewable energy industry, and meet vital climate targets.
It outlines key barriers still facing the US market, including a lack of certainty on the rules and requirements for new incentive programmes, as well as a growing gap between qualified workers and available positions in the domestic renewable energy industry.
In addition, it warns that long and unpredictable permitting processes and insufficient transmission infrastructure, plus inadequately balanced risk-reward structures between developers and wind-turbine manufacturers are holding the industry back.
Among the steps Siemens Gamesa identified for policymakers to prioritise are providing expedient clarification on US tax incentive programmes, enabling developers and manufacturers to achieve eligibility and promote wind-energy deployment, consistent with statutory requirements and objectives.
It also noted that policymakers should acknowledge the impacts of long durations between auction results and projects for offshore wind by including compensation mechanisms for costs that are subject to high inflation.
“The policy framework now in place in the US has provided an opportunity for the wind-energy market to grow, but it is merely the first step in addressing the key challenges that may prevent the US from achieving its climate, economic, and energy-security goals,” said Jochen Eickholt, CEO of Siemens Gamesa.
“The long-term viability of the US wind industry requires policymakers to further prioritise policies that strengthen the industry and enable cooperation among federal, state, and municipal entities.”