Annual U.S. Wind Power Rankings: News from AWEA

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) today released its annual rankings of wind energy development in the United States.

The U.S. wind energy industry installed over 2,400 megawatts (MW) of new power generation in the country, an investment of about $4 billion, making wind one of the largest sources of new power generation in the country at a time of growing electricity demand. Total installed U.S. wind power capacity is over 11,600 MW, or enough to serve the equivalent of 3 million average households.

The rankings include the states that generate the most electricity from wind, the nation's largest wind farms, leading suppliers of wind turbines, largest owners of wind projects, utilities that use the most wind power for their customers, and other industry information. Following a growing number of inquiries, this year's rankings also feature a new category: Congressional districts with most wind power installed.

"These wind power rankings tell the story of a vibrant industry that is growing fast, competing hard, gaining market share, and all the while powering a cleaner, stronger America," said AWEA executive director Randall Swisher. "Our new Congressional district rankings also serve as a reminder of the many benefits that wind power brings to local communities--new jobs, more local revenue, cleaner air, and an essential, home-grown contribution to fighting global warming."

Highlights of the rankings (as of December 31, 2006) include:

* Texas is firmly established as the state that generates the most electricity from wind, with over 2,700 MW installed at the end of 2006 and some 1,000 MW currently under construction. California ranks second with 2,361 MW installed; Iowa ranks third with 936 MW installed; Minnesota ranks fourth with 895 MW installed. Washington moves into fifth place (ahead of Oklahoma) with the addition of two large projects, Big Horn and Wild Horse, with 818 MW installed. Note: One megawatt of wind power produces enough electricity on average to serve 250 to 300 homes.

* Horse Hollow (Texas) is the largest wind farm operating in the United States, followed by Maple Ridge (New York).

* GE Energy remains in the lead as the largest manufacturer of wind turbines with Siemens carving out the second-largest market share.

* FPL Energy continues to dominate the U.S. wind energy market with the construction of 777 MW of new wind power projects; about a third of all new installations in the United States in 2006.

* Xcel Energy uses the most wind power on their system with 1323 MW followed by Southern California Edison with 1026 MW.

* Texas' 19th district (Rep. Randy Neugebauer) ranks as having the most wind power with 1419 MW; followed by California's 10th district (Rep. Ellen Tauscher) with 920 MW; and third by Texas 11th district (Rep. Mike Conaway) with 847 MW.