Energy & Science
U.S. Wind Power Installations Surged to Record in 2020
- Expected expiration of tax incentives encouraged development
- Nation now has 122 gigawatts of operating wind capacity
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The U.S. wind industry had its strongest year ever in 2020, nearly doubling installations from the prior year to reach a record high.
Developers built almost 17 gigawatts of capacity during the year, enough to power over 5 million homes, according to a report from the American Clean Power Association, a trade group. Most of that growth came in the fourth quarter as developers moved to complete projects before the expected expiration of federal tax incentives at year-end.