Wind energy costs are lower than ever, with steady advances in technology and better wind-turbine performance, according to three new reports released by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The new DOE reports include: The “2016 Wind Technologies Market Report,” the “2016 Offshore Wind Technologies Market Report,” and the “2016 Distributed Wind Market Report.”

Now that the cost of wind has become more affordable, DOE’s reports show wind power is the leading source of renewable energy capacity in the U.S.
“The Department of Energy’s research shows that wind power is a bright spot on the American energy landscape,” said Tom Kiernan, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). “U.S. wind projects are already among the most productive in the world, and this new data proves we have even greater potential to deliver affordable, reliable, and clean electricity to the American people.”
Wind energy has reached historically low prices according to the DOE. Average prices for wind energy power purchase agreements (PPAs) fell to roughly $20 per MWh last year, with some of the lowest prices in heartland states like Texas, Oklahoma and Iowa. DOE’s data showing that the average PPA price for wind has fallen by two-thirds since 2009 confirm other data showing a two-thirds decline in the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) from wind.
The two primary factors driving down the cost of wind energy are reduced wind plant costs and higher productivity. DOE data show that it costs 33% less, on average, to install a new wind project compared to the peak reported in 2009 and 2010. This is a remarkable achievement, as cost reductions have been achieved while adopting longer turbine blades, using advanced materials, and making other improvements that would ordinarily tend to increase costs.
Regarding productivity, technological innovations are helping wind turbines optimize their performance by reaching stronger, steadier winds. Longer blades in particular helped to boost new wind turbine performance, with wind projects built in 2014 and 2015 reporting a 42.5% average capacity factor in 2016, compared to a 32.1% capacity factor for projects built between 2004 and 2011.
The DOE’s reports support AWEA data that show wind power is now the leading source of renewable energy capacity in the U.S. The wind industry deployed 8,203 MW in 2016, for a total of 82,143 MW of installed capacity at the end of the year — with enough wind power online to power 25 million average American homes.
As wind power grows, so does the American workforce. The DOE found U.S. wind jobs are up 32% over 2015. This backs up AWEA data finding there are over 100,000 U.S. wind jobs in total.
Concerning offshore wind, global costs and prices are also falling. Europe has seen the biggest reductions in cost, though confidence is rising in the burgeoning U.S. market. The first U.S. offshore wind project came online in 2016 and over 20 projects totaling 24,135 MW of capacity are now under development according to DOE. Offshore wind turbines are trending larger, with the average global turbine size increasing from 3.4 MW in 2014 to 4.7 MW in 2016.
Innovations in floating foundations could eventually unlock development opportunity in deeper waters like those off the West Coast and Hawaii.
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Filed Under: Financing, News, Offshore wind