Wind Energy Surges

The United States is one of the largest and fastest growing wind markets, and is quickly leading the way in energy efficiency.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released a new report highlighting growth in wind energy. Specifically, wind energy was found to have increased the U.S. share of clean energy, and created tens of thousands of jobs.

The 2011 Wind Technologies Market Report found that the U.S. was one of the world’s largest and fastest growing wind markets in 2011. In fact, wind power makes up 32 percent of all new electric capcity additions, and accounts for $14 billion in new investments.

Roughly 6,800 megawatts (MW) of new wind power capacity was added to the U.S. grid in just last year, which was a 31 percent increase from 2010. At the end of 2011, the U.S.’s wind power capacity reached 47,000 MW and has since grown to 50,00 MW, which is enough electricity to power 13 million homes annually.

“The growth in the industry has also led directly to more American jobs throughout a number of sectors and at factories across the country,” and the report also found that nearly 70 percent of the equipment installed at U.S. wind farms last year are from domestic manufacturers.

So wind energy just isn’t good for the environment, it’s good for the economy as well. Finding ways to use renewable energy is a growing trend, and it is fast becoming a technology that businesses are investing in.

Source: Department of Energy