The alternative energy sector was one of many sectors hit hard by the recent recession. Recently, the United States’ Energy Secretary, Steven Chu, suggested that the U.S. was lagging behind other countries’ investments into alternative energy, namely China. One of the sectors the government has been investing in steadily is wind energy, however.
Many analysts have stated that the wind energy sector has faired better than predicted and better than other alternative sectors. This is partially due to the $1 billion in federal grants which went into wind energy. In the time period between July and September, 1,649 megawatts of wind energy capacity was installed. This installment period was actually 18 percent greater than the same time period in 2008.
In addition to the 1,649 megawatts recently installed, which can power 480,000 homes, a new wind farm was recently agreed upon for Texas. The exact location of the wind farm has not been disclosed, however it will be in West Texas and expand over numerous counties. The wind farm will be 36,000 acres and will be able to power 180,000 homes.
The unique aspect of this deal is the fact that China is one of the supporters of the project, putting forth about $1.5 billion. The wind farm is a deal between the Shenyang Power Group and U.S. companies Renewable Energy Group and Cielo Wind Power LP. The A-Power Energy Generations Systems Ltd. in Shenyang, China will be manufacturing the turbines.
Starting in March 2010, the Chinese company will be shipping the wind turbines to the United States. The turbines will be 2.5 megawatts. The Shenyang Power Group’s chief executive, Jinxiang Lu, stated: “With a long track record for building some of the world’s biggest wind farms, the U.S. is a real ideal target for foreign alternative energy investment.”
Foreign investment and involvement in alternative energy in the United States is not rare. In terms of wind energy, Denmark is the United States’ largest importer. Other countries involved in alternative energy in the U.S. is Spain, Germany, Japan and India.
