Wind Industry Leaders Warn Congress That a Weak RES Could Cede Jobs to Asia, Europe
WASHINGTON--May 15 2009 --A group of representatives from major wind industry companies today released a letter to key members of Congress urging them to strengthen the renewable electricity standard (RES) contained in the draft bill unveiled this week by House Energy and Commerce Committee chairman Henry Waxman.
“We are concerned that the significantly lower renewable targets currently being discussed, as compared to proposals from President Obama, Chairman Bingaman and Chairman Markey, will severely blunt the signal for companies like ours that manufacture turbines and components to invest billions of dollars to expand production and our workforces in the U.S.,” the letter said.
It was signed by representatives of GE Energy, Vestas Americas, Gamesa, NRG Systems, REPower USA, Broadwind Energy, TPI Composites, PPG Industries, Clipper Windpower and AWEA.
“A national RES is one of the strongest policies to promote more renewable energy because the combination of long-term demand and an immediate market triggers investment in manufacturing facilities. An RES provides specific near-, mid-, and long-market demand that other policies do not offer,” the letter said.
The Waxman bill, co-introduced by Rep. Edward Markey, chairman of the Energy and Environment Subcommittee, includes a renewable electricity standard that is less than one-half the level proposed by President Obama and Chairman Markey’s original proposal. AWEA supports an RES of 25% by 2025.
The letter also warned, “America is on the verge of losing the wind manufacturing industry to Asia and Europe. There is significant international trade in wind turbines and the competition to host this industry is intense. America trails its competition in passing stable renewable energy policy commitments. Thirty-seven other countries have firm commitments.”
AWEA is the national trade association of America’s wind industry, with more than 2,000 member companies, including global leaders in wind power and energy development, wind turbine manufacturing, component and service suppliers, and the world’s largest wind power trade show. AWEA is the voice of wind energy in the U.S., promoting renewable energy to power a cleaner, stronger America. Look up information on wind energy at the AWEA Web site. Find insight on industry issues at AWEA’s blog Into the Wind. Join AWEA on Facebook.
Follow AWEA on Twitter.
Contacts For AWEAChristine Real de Azua, 202-383-2508orShawna Seldon, 212-255-7541
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Showing posts with label wind industry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wind industry. Show all posts
Friday, May 15, 2009
Monday, May 04, 2009
Prospects for the Global Wind Energy Industry Are Still Strong Despite Recession, Says Pike Research
Prospects for the Global Wind Energy Industry Are Still Strong Despite Recession, Says Pike Research
BOULDER, Colo.--May 4 2009 -The wind energy industry has been battered by the global economic crisis, with market participants being dealt a severe blow by the credit crunch that began in 2008. However, the future prospects for wind energy remain bright, according to a new report from Pike Research. The cleantech market intelligence firm forecasts that total installed wind generation capacity will reach 320 gigawatts (GW) in 2015, representing a 165% increase over 2008 levels.
“The wind energy market will continue to grow, but not at the pace that was expected prior to 2009,” says managing director Clint Wheelock. “The economic crisis has thrown the industry into a tailspin, and there are many different views about how the market will develop over the next few years. Our forecast is approximately 20% lower than the wind industry’s own numbers released earlier this year, but we still see cause for optimism as fundamental demand drivers for wind turbines remain strong.”
In addition to new site development, one key revenue driver will be the replacement of aging turbine fleets. “Most turbines were designed for a 20-year useful life,” says Wheelock, “but in many cases it makes economic sense to replace 10-year-old turbines with newer, larger, more efficient models.” By 2015, Pike Research forecasts that 31% of all turbine installations will be replacements, with an even higher percentage in Europe given that region’s larger number of legacy turbines.
Pike Research’s study, “Wind Turbine Opportunities and Outlook”, analyzes key market factors in the global wind energy industry, including technology issues, regulatory frameworks, and the competitive landscape. The report includes rich quantitative analysis such as market sizing, segmentation, market share of top turbine vendors, and global growth forecasts by country through 2015. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website.
Pike Research is a market research and consulting firm that provides in-depth analysis of global clean technology markets. The company’s research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Renewable Energy, Clean Transportation, Clean Industry, Green Consumers, and Environmental Management sectors. For more information, visit www.pikeresearch.com or call +1.303.997.7609.
Contacts Pike ResearchClint Wheelock, +1-303-997-7609press@pikeresearch.com
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BOULDER, Colo.--May 4 2009 -The wind energy industry has been battered by the global economic crisis, with market participants being dealt a severe blow by the credit crunch that began in 2008. However, the future prospects for wind energy remain bright, according to a new report from Pike Research. The cleantech market intelligence firm forecasts that total installed wind generation capacity will reach 320 gigawatts (GW) in 2015, representing a 165% increase over 2008 levels.
“The wind energy market will continue to grow, but not at the pace that was expected prior to 2009,” says managing director Clint Wheelock. “The economic crisis has thrown the industry into a tailspin, and there are many different views about how the market will develop over the next few years. Our forecast is approximately 20% lower than the wind industry’s own numbers released earlier this year, but we still see cause for optimism as fundamental demand drivers for wind turbines remain strong.”
In addition to new site development, one key revenue driver will be the replacement of aging turbine fleets. “Most turbines were designed for a 20-year useful life,” says Wheelock, “but in many cases it makes economic sense to replace 10-year-old turbines with newer, larger, more efficient models.” By 2015, Pike Research forecasts that 31% of all turbine installations will be replacements, with an even higher percentage in Europe given that region’s larger number of legacy turbines.
Pike Research’s study, “Wind Turbine Opportunities and Outlook”, analyzes key market factors in the global wind energy industry, including technology issues, regulatory frameworks, and the competitive landscape. The report includes rich quantitative analysis such as market sizing, segmentation, market share of top turbine vendors, and global growth forecasts by country through 2015. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website.
Pike Research is a market research and consulting firm that provides in-depth analysis of global clean technology markets. The company’s research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Renewable Energy, Clean Transportation, Clean Industry, Green Consumers, and Environmental Management sectors. For more information, visit www.pikeresearch.com or call +1.303.997.7609.
Contacts Pike ResearchClint Wheelock, +1-303-997-7609press@pikeresearch.com
News & Stories Published at Clean Energy Stocks Blog
Research Renewable Energy and water stocks as an Investor Ideas member and gain access to global stock directories.
Membership sign-up- http://www.investorideas.com/membership/
Monday, December 29, 2008
American Wind Energy Association (AWEA): Wind Power Trends to Watch for in 2009
American Wind Energy Association (AWEA): Wind Power Trends to Watch for in 2009
WASHINGTON--Dec 29 2008 --As the wind industry closes out another banner year, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) is looking ahead to further progress in 2009. Although the industry is buffeted by the financial crisis and economic downturn, it is also buoyed by a strong strategic position and the prospect of strong policy support from Congress and the new President. Here are some wind energy projections for the New Year:
“The world’s largest operating wind power project” will be a hotly contested designation this year: At least one new project may soon surpass FPL Energy’s 736-megawatt (MW) Horse Hollow wind farm, which has been the world’s largest for three years running. One project under expansion, by E.ON Climate & Renewables (EC&R) North America, and currently scheduled to go online in mid-2009, would have a total capacity of 781.5 megawatts (MW) when it is completed. The Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center, located in Taylor and Nolan counties, Texas, claimed the title in 2006. “The Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center is an important new source of clean, renewable power for the region that also provides significant economic benefits to the area in the form of taxes, new jobs, lease payments to landowners, and the purchase of local goods and services,” said FPL Energy President Jim Robo at the time of its commissioning. Gigawatt-size projects (in the thousands of megawatts) like the ones proposed by T. Boone Pickens and Shell Wind Energy are also in the pipeline but will take several years to be built.
Wind power: second-largest source of new U.S. power generating capacity for 5th year in a row? Wind is now a mainstream option for new power generation, second only to natural gas plants in new capacity built from 2005 through 2007, and probably again in 2008, pending year-end figures. Measured by market share, wind provided 35% of all new generation added in the U.S. in 2007. And with 7,500 MW of new capacity expected when 2008 figures are released, wind is likely to contribute at least 35% of new capacity added this year. This is one more indicator that wind power is abundant, affordable and available now to contribute a growing portion of our national electricity supply.
Hopes run high for greater federal policy stability: President-elect Obama has outlined a range of policies that would encourage investments in wind and renewables, and these policies are expected to be on the table for serious discussion and possible early action in 2009. The policies would signal a welcome shift for renewable energy technologies, whose deployment has been hampered by the absence of long-term policy stability. New policies include: adjusting the federal production tax credit (PTC) to make it more effective in the midst of the current economic downturn and extending it for a longer term (it expires at the end of 2009);
establishing a national renewable electricity standard (RES) with a target of generating at least 25% of the nation’s electricity from renewables by 2025, and a near-term target of 10% by 2012 (a Washington Post poll in early December found that 84% of Americans support such a standard); legislation and initiatives to develop a high-voltage interstate transmission “highway” for renewable energy; and strong national climate change legislation.
For a full list and description of the policies, see http://www.newwindagenda.org/.
States will focus on RES, transmission for renewables: Expect one or more states to implement (Indiana) or strengthen (Wisconsin and New York) their Renewable Electricity Standards (RES), bringing the number of states with an RES from 28 to perhaps 30. Look also for some states, including some without an RES (Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska) to develop a process to facilitate investment in transmission for electricity generated using renewables. Texas, Colorado, Minnesota, and California have already shown the way with pro-active transmission policies for renewable energy. “Baseload/peaking” is “out” and “smart mix” is “in”: The electric industry faces dramatic transformations as it wrestles with the challenges of the 21st century. The old paradigm that assumed “baseload” power plants were necessary is being replaced by a new paradigm where both demand and supply are managed in tandem, and electricity is supplied by a smart, clean mix including a high level of renewable and flexible technologies. Under its 20% wind by 2030 scenario (http://www.20percentwind.org/), the U.S. Department of Energy found that 20% wind would likely reduce the need for new coal and leave the level of nuclear power unchanged.
More community wind projects in 2009: The fast-growing wind power market is also opening up opportunities for community wind, which are projects owned by farmers, ranchers or other local investors or public entities. Look for more community wind proposals in 2009, and more AWEA education and outreach on the topic over the course of the year.
AWEA business membership will surge past 2,000 by mid-year: More companies see opportunities in the wind energy industry, and the expanding AWEA business membership roll is a measure of that interest. AWEA business membership increased from 200 in 2000, to more than 600 in 2005, and has soared over the 1,800 mark in 2008. If the trend continues, the roll of AWEA member companies could pass 2,000 by mid-2009. Most of the new members are companies in the wind power supply chain. Industry will finalize guidelines for wind turbine O&M: When an industry becomes mainstream, it needs to put in place a variety of standards and guidelines, and wind power is no exception. AWEA and the wind power industry are working with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to develop safety guidelines for wind turbine technicians and O&M workers at utility-scale wind projects. AWEA will be presenting educational webinars to OSHA personnel in early 2009. AWEA expects to finalize standards for small wind turbines: Standards for small wind turbines will help ensure qualification for the new small wind turbine federal investment credit that is now available for homeowners and small businesses investing in a small wind system. Manufacturing standards have long been in place for utility-scale wind turbines and continue to evolve with the technology.
Larger incentive for small wind? Homeowners, farmers, and small-business owners now benefit from a federal incentive enacted in late 2008 for the purchase of small wind systems. However, this credit is capped. Owners of small wind systems with 100 kilowatts (kW) of capacity and less can receive a credit for 30% of the total installed cost of the system, not to exceed $4,000. For turbines used for homes, the credit is additionally limited to the lesser of $4,000 or $1,000 per kW of capacity. Look for an effort to remove this limitation, so that consumers can benefit from a credit of a full 30% of the total cost of a small wind turbine purchased for an individual home or business.
Denise Bode takes the helm at AWEA: Denise Bode steps in as the new CEO for the American Wind Energy Association on January 5, succeeding Randall Swisher, who retired in 2008 after leading the association and industry for 19 years. Bode takes over at an exceptional time for the industry. Also new is AWEA’s logo at the top of this page. The logo has been updated to reflect the new era for wind energy in the U.S.
AWEA is the national trade association of America’s wind industry, with more than 1,800 member companies, including global leaders in wind power and energy development, wind turbine manufacturing, component and service suppliers, and the world’s largest wind power trade show. AWEA is the voice of wind energy in the U.S. promoting renewable energy to power a cleaner, stronger America. More information on wind energy is available at the AWEA Web site: http://www.awea.org/.
Contacts For AWEAShawna Seldon, 917-971-7852
WASHINGTON--Dec 29 2008 --As the wind industry closes out another banner year, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) is looking ahead to further progress in 2009. Although the industry is buffeted by the financial crisis and economic downturn, it is also buoyed by a strong strategic position and the prospect of strong policy support from Congress and the new President. Here are some wind energy projections for the New Year:
“The world’s largest operating wind power project” will be a hotly contested designation this year: At least one new project may soon surpass FPL Energy’s 736-megawatt (MW) Horse Hollow wind farm, which has been the world’s largest for three years running. One project under expansion, by E.ON Climate & Renewables (EC&R) North America, and currently scheduled to go online in mid-2009, would have a total capacity of 781.5 megawatts (MW) when it is completed. The Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center, located in Taylor and Nolan counties, Texas, claimed the title in 2006. “The Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center is an important new source of clean, renewable power for the region that also provides significant economic benefits to the area in the form of taxes, new jobs, lease payments to landowners, and the purchase of local goods and services,” said FPL Energy President Jim Robo at the time of its commissioning. Gigawatt-size projects (in the thousands of megawatts) like the ones proposed by T. Boone Pickens and Shell Wind Energy are also in the pipeline but will take several years to be built.
Wind power: second-largest source of new U.S. power generating capacity for 5th year in a row? Wind is now a mainstream option for new power generation, second only to natural gas plants in new capacity built from 2005 through 2007, and probably again in 2008, pending year-end figures. Measured by market share, wind provided 35% of all new generation added in the U.S. in 2007. And with 7,500 MW of new capacity expected when 2008 figures are released, wind is likely to contribute at least 35% of new capacity added this year. This is one more indicator that wind power is abundant, affordable and available now to contribute a growing portion of our national electricity supply.
Hopes run high for greater federal policy stability: President-elect Obama has outlined a range of policies that would encourage investments in wind and renewables, and these policies are expected to be on the table for serious discussion and possible early action in 2009. The policies would signal a welcome shift for renewable energy technologies, whose deployment has been hampered by the absence of long-term policy stability. New policies include: adjusting the federal production tax credit (PTC) to make it more effective in the midst of the current economic downturn and extending it for a longer term (it expires at the end of 2009);
establishing a national renewable electricity standard (RES) with a target of generating at least 25% of the nation’s electricity from renewables by 2025, and a near-term target of 10% by 2012 (a Washington Post poll in early December found that 84% of Americans support such a standard); legislation and initiatives to develop a high-voltage interstate transmission “highway” for renewable energy; and strong national climate change legislation.
For a full list and description of the policies, see http://www.newwindagenda.org/.
States will focus on RES, transmission for renewables: Expect one or more states to implement (Indiana) or strengthen (Wisconsin and New York) their Renewable Electricity Standards (RES), bringing the number of states with an RES from 28 to perhaps 30. Look also for some states, including some without an RES (Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska) to develop a process to facilitate investment in transmission for electricity generated using renewables. Texas, Colorado, Minnesota, and California have already shown the way with pro-active transmission policies for renewable energy. “Baseload/peaking” is “out” and “smart mix” is “in”: The electric industry faces dramatic transformations as it wrestles with the challenges of the 21st century. The old paradigm that assumed “baseload” power plants were necessary is being replaced by a new paradigm where both demand and supply are managed in tandem, and electricity is supplied by a smart, clean mix including a high level of renewable and flexible technologies. Under its 20% wind by 2030 scenario (http://www.20percentwind.org/), the U.S. Department of Energy found that 20% wind would likely reduce the need for new coal and leave the level of nuclear power unchanged.
More community wind projects in 2009: The fast-growing wind power market is also opening up opportunities for community wind, which are projects owned by farmers, ranchers or other local investors or public entities. Look for more community wind proposals in 2009, and more AWEA education and outreach on the topic over the course of the year.
AWEA business membership will surge past 2,000 by mid-year: More companies see opportunities in the wind energy industry, and the expanding AWEA business membership roll is a measure of that interest. AWEA business membership increased from 200 in 2000, to more than 600 in 2005, and has soared over the 1,800 mark in 2008. If the trend continues, the roll of AWEA member companies could pass 2,000 by mid-2009. Most of the new members are companies in the wind power supply chain. Industry will finalize guidelines for wind turbine O&M: When an industry becomes mainstream, it needs to put in place a variety of standards and guidelines, and wind power is no exception. AWEA and the wind power industry are working with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to develop safety guidelines for wind turbine technicians and O&M workers at utility-scale wind projects. AWEA will be presenting educational webinars to OSHA personnel in early 2009. AWEA expects to finalize standards for small wind turbines: Standards for small wind turbines will help ensure qualification for the new small wind turbine federal investment credit that is now available for homeowners and small businesses investing in a small wind system. Manufacturing standards have long been in place for utility-scale wind turbines and continue to evolve with the technology.
Larger incentive for small wind? Homeowners, farmers, and small-business owners now benefit from a federal incentive enacted in late 2008 for the purchase of small wind systems. However, this credit is capped. Owners of small wind systems with 100 kilowatts (kW) of capacity and less can receive a credit for 30% of the total installed cost of the system, not to exceed $4,000. For turbines used for homes, the credit is additionally limited to the lesser of $4,000 or $1,000 per kW of capacity. Look for an effort to remove this limitation, so that consumers can benefit from a credit of a full 30% of the total cost of a small wind turbine purchased for an individual home or business.
Denise Bode takes the helm at AWEA: Denise Bode steps in as the new CEO for the American Wind Energy Association on January 5, succeeding Randall Swisher, who retired in 2008 after leading the association and industry for 19 years. Bode takes over at an exceptional time for the industry. Also new is AWEA’s logo at the top of this page. The logo has been updated to reflect the new era for wind energy in the U.S.
AWEA is the national trade association of America’s wind industry, with more than 1,800 member companies, including global leaders in wind power and energy development, wind turbine manufacturing, component and service suppliers, and the world’s largest wind power trade show. AWEA is the voice of wind energy in the U.S. promoting renewable energy to power a cleaner, stronger America. More information on wind energy is available at the AWEA Web site: http://www.awea.org/.
Contacts For AWEAShawna Seldon, 917-971-7852
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