Description
In 2009 the worst recession in decades eviscerated the tax credit appetite of the financial institutions that invest in wind projects. Yet on the strength of the grant-in-lieu of tax credit enacted with the ARRA stimulus bill, the U.S. wind energy capacity grew by 40%, installing a record-breaking 10 GW to end 2009 at 38 GW, 22% of the global total of 158 GW. Canada’s wind capacity also grew by 40% and Mexico’s fledgling wind power market grew by more than 130%. North America still trailed Asia which expanded capacity 64% in 2009 to total 40 GW. Asia was paced by China that more than doubled capacity to 26 GW.
Inside this edition:
- In a series of profiles, CCBJ explores the business models and competitive positioning of wind farm developers, turbine manufacturers and many types of service providers.
- CCBJ forecasts a dip in U.S. capacity added in 2010 due to lack of load growth and cheap gas prices putting downward pressure on power purchase agreement (PPA) prices, but 2011 activity will return to the 10 GW level of 2009. Higher activity is expected globally due to continuing growth in Asia.
- The Mexican wind power market is growing rapidly on the heels of electricity market liberalization and pro-renewable energy policies.
Profiles:
AWS Truepower, CH2M Hill, Clean Line Energy, E.ON Climate & Renewables, Ecology & Environment, GL Garrad Hassan, Horizon Wind Energy, ICF International, Mainstream Renewable Power, Meteodyn, MidAmerican Energy Company, Mortenson Construction, PacifiCorp, RMT, Siemens and Tetra Tech.
