Wind Power Surges in 2009

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) reported today that the U.S. wind energy industry added 9,922 megawatts of new generating capacity during 2009, with 4,041 megawatts completed during the fourth quarter. Last year's installations expand the nation’s wind plant fleet by 39% and bring the total wind power generating capacity to over 35,000 MW.

According to the AWEA report, the incentives provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act were primarily responsible for the increase in the construction, operations and maintenance, and management facets of the wind energy industry during 2009. The report pointed out, however, that lack of a long-term policy contributed to a drop in activity in the manufacturing sector compared to 2008, with one-third fewer wind power manufacturing facilities online, announced or expanded in 2009.

Regarding progress in North Dakota's wind energy industry, the report noted that the state moved to number ten on the list of wind power producers with 1,203 megawatts of generating capacity online at the end of the year. At the top of the list is Texas with 9,410 megawatts followed by Iowa with 3,670 megawatts and California with 2,794 megawatts.

North Dakota wind projects completed during 2009 were...

• Ashtabula II near Valley City --- 45 turbines generating 67.5 megawatts
• Luverne in Steele and Griggs Counties --- 33 turbines generating 49 megawatts
• Prairie Winds 1 near Max --- 77 turbines generating 115.5 megawatts
• Prairie Winds 2 in Ward Country --- 3 turbines generating 4.5 megawatts
• Rugby in Pierce County --- 71 turbines generating 149.1 megawatts
• Wilton II in Burleigh County --- 33 turbines generating 49.5 megawatts

• Combined total --- 262 turbines generating 488 megawatts.

The complete AWEA report for 2009 is available here.