U.S. DOE: Wind Can Provide 20% of U.S. Electricity Needs by 2030

May 14, 2008 – Vol.13 No.8

American Wind Energy Association (AWEA): New U.S. Dept. of Energy Report Finds Wind Can Provide 20% of U.S. Electricity Needs by 2030.

Included in the report are an examination of America’s technological and manufacturing capabilities, the future costs of energy sources, U.S. wind energy resources, and the environmental and economic impacts of wind development. Under the 20 percent wind scenario, installations of new wind power capacity would increase to more than 16,000 megawatts per year by 2018, and continue at that rate through 2030.

DOE Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for the U.S. Department of Energy Andy Karsner, said. "To dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance our energy security, clean power generation at the gigawatt-scale will be necessary, and will require us to take a comprehensive approach to scaling renewable wind power, streamlining siting and permitting processes, and expanding the domestic wind manufacturing base."

The report finds that achieving a 20 percent wind contribution to U.S. electricity supply would:

--- Reduce carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation by 25 percent in 2030.

--- Reduce natural gas use by 11%;

--- Reduce water consumption associated with electricity generation by 4 trillion gallons by 2030;

--- Increase annual revenues to local communities to more than $1.5 billion by 2030; and

--- Support roughly 500,000 jobs in the U.S., with an average of more than 150,000 workers directly employed by the wind industry.

Victor Abate, Vice President-Renewables for GE Energy, commented "Realizing the vision of 20% wind by 2030 is vital to our nation's energy and environmental security. This critical report shows how, through sustained industry commitment and the strengthening of supportive policies like the production tax credit (PTC) and Renewable Portfolio Standards, wind can become a mainstream power source and an engine for economic growth."

AWEA is the national trade association of the U.S. wind energy industry. (5/13/08)

Links:

Report – 20% Wind Energy by 2030: Increasing Wind Energy’s Contribution to U.S. Electricity Supply
http://www.20percentwind.org

American Wind Energy Association
http://www.awea.org

GE Energy
http://www.gepower.com

American Wind Energy Association (AWEA): U.S. Wind Industry Installs 1,400 MW in First Quarter.

American Wind Energy Asscociation (AWEA) Quarterly Market Report: Over 2,300 Megawatts Installed This Year To Date.

Disclaimer, Forward-Looking or Safe Harbor Statement on original press release: No