The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) has today kicked off American Wind Week 2020, the fourth annual national celebration of US wind energy leadership.
During the week, AWEA, its 1000-plus members and thousands of diverse US wind supporters will highlight the many ways wind power is helping to build the future.
American Wind Week will look different than in past years, however, with most of the events taking place virtually because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
AWEA chief executive Tom Kiernan said: “After a decade of significant growth, wind power last year became America’s number one source of renewable energy.
“During this year’s American Wind Week, we celebrate the more than 120,000 Americans working in the wind industry, as well as all the wind champions across the country that helped make this achievement possible.
“This year has been one of immense challenge for our country as we strive to overcome the public health and economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The US wind industry stands ready, now more than ever, to keep pushing forward and to help our country build a stronger economy and a cleaner future.”
Each day special events will be run following distinct themes.
On 10 August the theme is the essential workforce, followed by economic recovery on Tuesday, then wind power champions, community investment and concluding on Friday with corporate buyers.
AWEA board chair and Vestas North America president Chris Brown said: “2020 should be remembered as the year wind worked for America.
“At the height of stay-at-home orders, wind farms produced enough electricity to power 32 million homes in both April and May.
“Those turbines were kept spinning by the tens of thousands of essential wind workers, including nearly 7000 Vestas essential employees. We have proven wind is essential today and wind will be essential tomorrow.”