Wind energy is one of the fastest growing energy sources in the world. In 2005, new wind farms were the second-largest source of new power generation in the U.S., after new natural gas power plants. In February, President George W. Bush asserted that wind energy could provide up to 20% of the nation’s electricity, up from less than 1% today.
“These are heady times for the wind industry, with a record year in 2005, and 2006 looking even better,” said AWEA Executive Director Randall Swisher. “The industry is working overtime to keep up with the exciting growth and demand. Clean, renewable, domestic wind power is an important part of the solution to the ever-increasing public calls for energy sources that reduce our dependence on imported fuels and work for our economy, environment, and energy security.”

In 2005, the industry broke annual installed capacity records, installing over 2,400 megawatts (MW) or over $3 billion worth of new generating equipment in 22 states. America’s wind farm fleet, with over 9,000 MW of capacity currently installed, is generating enough electricity to serve over 2.3 million homes and is currently saving an estimated half a billion cubic feet of natural gas per day (Bcf/day), helping reduce prices and imports of the fuel. The industry is planning to invest over $4 billion and bring an additional 3,000 MW on line this year.