New wind farms drove $11 billion in private investment, with more
on the way, American Wind Energy Association Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. wind power industry closed 2017 strong, delivering 7,017 megawatts (MW) of new wind power capacity representing $11 billion in new private investment, according to the U.S. Wind Industry Fourth Quarter 2017 Market Report. Twenty-nine new wind farms totaling 4,125 MW came online across 16 states in the fourth quarter.
The wind industry’s powerful growth is poised to continue in 2018 and beyond, delivering jobs and private investment to rural areas and factory towns. The pipeline of wind farms under construction or in advanced development totals 28,668 MW, a 34 percent increase compared to the end of 2016. Read the entire press release here
Image: Rendering of 320-megawatt Rattlesnake Creek Wind Farm under construction in Dixon County, Nebraska by Enel Green Power North America.
Wind Projects
- Installed wind capacity: 1,426 MW
State rank for installed wind capacity: 17th - Number of wind turbines: 785
State rank for number of wind turbines: 17th - Wind projects online: 23 (Projects above 10 MW: 16)
- Wind capacity under construction: 702 MW
- Wind capacity in advanced development: 726 MW
Wind Generation
During 2016, wind energy provided 10.09% of all in-state electricity production.
- State rank for share of electricity: 14th
- Number of homes powered by wind in 2016: 351,000