The US wind industry installed more than 5GW during the fourth quarter of 2015, more than in all of 2014, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
Overall in 2015 the American wind industry installed almost 8.6GW, the third largest amount ever installed in a year and a 77% increase over 2014.
The fourth quarter of 2015 was the second strongest quarter ever recorded, and significantly more than the 4854MW installed in all of 2014.
The total installations across 2015 trail only 2009 and 2012.
Texas continues to lead the nation with over 17.7GW of installed capacity, more than twice that of any other state, with Iowa now ranking second with more than 6GW.
AWEA chief executive officer Tom Kiernan said: “2016 presents an extraordinary opportunity for American wind power.
The time has never been better for states and utilities to lock in low-cost, stably-priced wind energy to achieve their Clean Power Plan carbon reductions.
“Wind energy is on track to supplying 20% of the country’s electricity by 2030.”
Image: Miami wind farm in Texas (Invenergy)
