Total US wind capacity reached 97,960MW in the second quarter of 2019, with a further record 41,801MW under construction or at an advanced stage of development, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
The AWEA said in the ‘Wind Industry Second Quarter 2019 Market Report’ that four new projects came online in the period adding 736MW of new capacity.
The wind project pipeline grew 7% in the second quarter with 7290MW in new construction and advanced development activity announced.
Over 57,000 turbines are now installed in the US across 41 states and two territories.
Work on more than 200 wind farms is underway across 33 states, and 15 of those states have over 1GW of wind capacity that will come online in the near term.
Texas currently hosts the most activity (9015MW), followed by Wyoming (4831MW), New Mexico (2774MW), Iowa (2623MW) and South Dakota (2183MW).
AWEA chief executive Tom Kiernan said: “American wind power’s record growth continues to accelerate with over 200 wind farm projects underway in 33 states.
“Our industry’s success strengthens the US economy because access to affordable, clean American wind power is a competitive advantage in the eyes of business leaders.
“And when those businesses invest in US wind energy, it directly benefits the people living and working in our country’s farm, factory, and port communities.”
Power purchase agreements totalling 1962MW were signed in the quarter, bringing the 2019 total to 4799MW, AWEA said.
Projects are also being planned with larger turbines. Some 2049MW of deals were announced in the second quarter for hardware with capacity of 4.2MW to 4.5MW.
Kiernan said: “We’re seeing a growing number of wind farms select turbines capable of powering nearly twice as many homes as the average US wind turbine.
“Wind technology innovation is keeping pace with demand, but we can’t afford to neglect the power grid infrastructure that delivers electricity from where it’s made to consumers.
“We continue to urge the Administration, Congress, FERC, and grid operators to ensure well-designed transmission lines can be planned, permitted, and built in a timely fashion.”