U.S. posts slow wind numbers


Electrical Commissioning In Industrial Power Systems

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 12 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$599
Coupon Price:
$499
Reserve Your Seat Today
The U.S. wind power industry had its slowest quarter since 2007 in the just-ended third quarter, as investors turned away from the sector after Congress did not pass a renewable power mandate, an industry group said.

The American Wind Energy Association AWEA said U.S. developers added 395 megawatts of electricity capacity at wind farms in the third quarter — the slowest quarter since 2007. Year-to-date installations of 1,634 MW, were down 72 percent versus the same period last year.

The U.S. Senate has not passed a national renewable energy mandate that would have required power utilities to generate minimum amounts of power from sources like wind and solar power.

Senator Jeff Bingaman, a Democrat who in September introduced a bill with a Renewable Electricity Standard, has said it has picked up support from Republicans.

But it could be tough to pass the legislation this year as Congress will have a full schedule after it returns following elections.

China and Europe already have mandates for renewable power which AWEA said will help lead to $35 billion in investment in 2010, or four times the amount that has been invested in the United States.

"U.S. wind energy can again lead the world," said Denise Bode, AWEA's chief executive. "But if federal policymakers do not act quickly to provide investment certainty... the U.S. wind industry will stall out."

Wind power supporters also want Congress to pass long term tax incentives that they say would give investors more confidence.

Related News

Brand New Renewable Technology Harnesses Electricity From The Cold, Dark Night

Nighttime Thermoelectric Generator converts radiative cooling into renewable energy, leveraging outer space cold; a Stanford-UCLA…
View more

Starting Texas Schools After Labor Day: Power Grid and Cost Benefits?

Texas After-Labor Day School Start could ease ERCOT's power grid strain by shifting peak demand,…
View more

Australia's energy transition stalled by stubbornly high demand

Australia Renewable Energy Transition: solar capacity growth, net-zero goals, rising electricity demand, coal reliance, EV…
View more

Pacific Northwest's Renewable Energy Goals Hindered

Pacific Northwest Transmission Bottleneck slows clean energy progress as BPA's aging grid constrains renewable interconnections,…
View more

Ontario to Rely on Battery Storage to Meet Rising Energy Demand

Ontario Battery Energy Storage anchors IESO strategy, easing peak demand and boosting grid reliability. Projects…
View more

Yet another Irish electricity provider is increasing its prices

Electric Ireland Electricity Price Increase stems from rising wholesale costs as energy suppliers adjust tariffs.…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Download the 2026 Electrical Training Catalog

Explore 50+ live, expert-led electrical training courses –

  • Interactive
  • Flexible
  • CEU-cerified