U.S. Wind Energy Production and Manufacturing Surges
The U.S. Department of Energy has released a new report highlighting strong growth in the U.S. wind energy market in 2011. The U.S. share of clean energy has increased and supported tens of thousands of jobs while underscoring the importance of continued policy support and clean energy tax credits to ensure that the manufacturing and jobs associated with this booming global industry remain in the U.S.
According to the “2011 Wind Technologies Market Report,” the U.S. remained one of the world’s largest and fastest growing wind markets in 2011, with wind power representing 32% of all new electric capacity additions in the country last year and accounting for $14 billion in new investment. The percentage of wind equipment made in America also increased dramatically; nearly 70% of the equipment installed at U.S. wind farms last year—including wind turbines and components like towers, blades, gears, and generators—is now from domestic manufacturers, doubling from 35% in 2005.