U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Wind Program

U.S. Wind Power Capacity Grew 27 Percent in 2006

January 31, 2007

The U.S. wind industry installed 2,454 megawatts (MW) of wind power capacity in 2006, boosting the nation's total wind power capacity to 11,603 MW, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). AWEA announced on January 23rd that it expects the 27 percent growth in wind power capacity recorded last year to be nearly repeated this year, with a 26 percent growth. That means an increase of about 3,000 MW, bringing the nation's total wind capacity to more than 14,600 MW. Last year's growth included the installation of utility-scale wind turbines in 20 states. To support the record growth rate, companies opened new wind turbine manufacturing facilities in Iowa, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. See the AWEA press release.