The industry easily broke earlier records in 2005, according to the AWEA, installing more than 2,400 megawatts (MW) or more than $3 billion worth of new generating equipment in 22 states. The final tally of 2,431 MW boosted the cumulative U.S. installed wind power fleet by more than 35 percent, bringing the industry's total generating capacity to 9,149 MW, enough to serve the equivalent of 2.3 million homes.
The annual industry rankings tell the rest of the story, providing a standard reference point for the burgeoning growth of the wind industry in the U.S. Wind continues to be one of the fastest growing energy sources in the nation, AWEA says.
“Wind energy’s continuing expansion, as reflected in these rankings, provides fresh evidence that it is capable of contributing to the nation’s electricity supply near the level of conventional power sources,” said AWEA executive director Randall Swisher. “Wind energy is a clean, safe, domestic, abundant, and affordable energy source, and one of the best options we have for new power generation today.”
The rankings (as of December 31, 2005) include the following:
#1 California - 2,150 MW #2 Texas - 1,995 MW #3 Iowa - 836 MW #4 Minnesota - 744 MW #5 Oklahoma – 475 MW #6 New Mexico – 407 MW #7 Washington – 390 MW #8 Oregon – 338 MW #9 Wyoming – 288 MW #10 Kansas – 264 MW
