Aug 01 | 2019
EIA Reports 24.2 GW Installed
The state of Texas – where oil is king – has topped a ranking of installed wind power capacity in the U.S. with more than 24.2 gigawatts of capacity, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
EIA data suggests that Texas continues to extend its lead in the wind power sector with more than 13,000 turbines already installed and demand for breakbulk transportation of new installations showing no signs of waning.
“As of the beginning of 2019, 41 states had at least one installed wind turbine. Of these 41 states, Texas had the largest number of turbines … and the most installed wind capacity,” said Abagail Anderson, principal contributor at the EIA.
Larger Size Requirements
The growth in the sector is driving demand for specialized breakbulk services across the state as the size of turbines steadily increases in pursuit of greater operational efficiency.
“As wind technology has advanced, turbines have grown larger in the United States, and the capacity of individual turbines has increased with size,” Anderson noted.
Concentration of breakbulk expertise in Texas, driven in part by the shale gas and LNG export boom or recent years that has centered on the state, is helping support wider rollout of new larger sized turbines in the state.
End-of-life
As well as demand for breakbulk transport associated with new capacity the EIA also reports an increase in turbines reaching end-of-life. With the oldest operational turbine in the U.S. dating to 1975, the need for decommissioning services and replacement is increasing.
“Despite having the second-most installed wind turbines, California accounts for only 6.1 GW of total installed capacity, fourth among the states. In 2018, California reduced its number of turbines but still increased its wind capacity by repowering some turbines to improve their efficiency,” Anderson said.
"Although California has the oldest operable turbine (44 years), Tennessee has, on average, the oldest operating wind turbines, with an average project age of 17 years. California, Wyoming, Minnesota, and Arkansas round out the top five states in terms of oldest project ages, from an average 16 years old in California to an average 12 years old in Arkansas," EIA said.
Based in Washington, The EIA is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System and collects, analyzes, and disseminates energy information to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding.
EIA data suggests that Texas continues to extend its lead in the wind power sector with more than 13,000 turbines already installed and demand for breakbulk transportation of new installations showing no signs of waning.
“As of the beginning of 2019, 41 states had at least one installed wind turbine. Of these 41 states, Texas had the largest number of turbines … and the most installed wind capacity,” said Abagail Anderson, principal contributor at the EIA.
Larger Size Requirements
The growth in the sector is driving demand for specialized breakbulk services across the state as the size of turbines steadily increases in pursuit of greater operational efficiency.
“As wind technology has advanced, turbines have grown larger in the United States, and the capacity of individual turbines has increased with size,” Anderson noted.
Concentration of breakbulk expertise in Texas, driven in part by the shale gas and LNG export boom or recent years that has centered on the state, is helping support wider rollout of new larger sized turbines in the state.
End-of-life
As well as demand for breakbulk transport associated with new capacity the EIA also reports an increase in turbines reaching end-of-life. With the oldest operational turbine in the U.S. dating to 1975, the need for decommissioning services and replacement is increasing.
“Despite having the second-most installed wind turbines, California accounts for only 6.1 GW of total installed capacity, fourth among the states. In 2018, California reduced its number of turbines but still increased its wind capacity by repowering some turbines to improve their efficiency,” Anderson said.
"Although California has the oldest operable turbine (44 years), Tennessee has, on average, the oldest operating wind turbines, with an average project age of 17 years. California, Wyoming, Minnesota, and Arkansas round out the top five states in terms of oldest project ages, from an average 16 years old in California to an average 12 years old in Arkansas," EIA said.
Based in Washington, The EIA is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System and collects, analyzes, and disseminates energy information to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding.
