The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) is expecting the installed capacity of wind generators in the United States to grow by 25 percent in 2003. The group is predicting 1,100 to 1,400 MW of new wind turbines to be installed this year, a lower number than the 1,500 to 1,800 MW projected by the association back in January.

AWEA says financing difficulties that are bothering the electrical generating market are also plaguing wind energy projects. But General Electric is seeing no difficulties in its wind energy ventures. GE Wind Energy announced that it has received more than $2 billion in orders and commitments since it entered the wind industry in May 2002. Between now and 2005, the company has commitments for 3,000 MW of new wind turbines, with half in the United States and the remainder in Europe and Asia.

— by J.J. Siegel