WIND CAPACITY ADDITIONS BREAK RECORD

摘要

After two years of declining capacity additions, shareholder-owned electric utilities brought 8,852 megawatts (MW) of new capacity into operation in 2008, 70 percent more than in 2007. New plants accounted for 3,263 MW, and expansions added 5,590 MW. The U.S. power industry as a whole increased total capacity by 17 percent in 2008.rnEven more than 2007, 2008 was the year of new wind farms. Wind capacity additions broke a new record and, for the first time, the entire power sector added as much wind capacity as natural gas capacity. Wind accounted for 68 percent of total megawatts from new plants placed into operation by shareholder-owned electric companies and 60 percent of new plants brought online by the broader industry surpassing, in both cases, the relative contribution from all other fuel types. Wind's lack of fuel cost and the proliferation of state renewable energy standards as well as other state policies and state and federal incentives have helped make it an increasingly popular generation choice in windy parts of the country.