Report: Oklahoma ranks 8th for wind projects under construction in 2012

The American Wind Energy Association released its annual market report today on wind projects. Oklahoma ranks No. 8 for the amount of megawatts under construction this year.

Here’s the Top 10, according to the report:

Top ten states for wind projects under construction in 2012:

1. Kansas: 1,189 MW

2. Texas: 857 MW

3. California: 847 MW

4. Oregon: 640 MW

5. Illinois: 615 MW

6. Pennsylvania: 520 MW

7. Iowa: 470 MW

8. Oklahoma: 393 MW

9. Michigan: 348 MW

10. Washington: 331 MW

As far as wind generation as a percentage of electricity, Oklahoma ranks 10th in the nation with 7.1 percent. Here’s the Top 10:

Top states for wind generation as a percentage of their portfolio

1. South Dakota: 22.3%

2. Iowa: 18.8%

3. North Dakota: 14.7%

4. Minnesota: 12.7%

5. Wyoming: 10.1%

6. Colorado: 9.2%

7. Kansas: 8.3%

8. Oregon: 8.2%

9. Idaho: 8.2%

10. Oklahoma: 7.1%

Of course, the projections for wind expansion in 2013 are uncertain right now. The industry is facing a big drop off in construction next year if a federal tax credit isn’t renewed by Dec. 31. A recent report for the industry by Navigant Consulting found an estimated 37,000 jobs are at risk if the credit isn’t renewed.

“In hard economic times we’re creating jobs and delivering clean, affordable electricity,” AWEA’s CEO Denise Bode said in a statement. “But we will lose all these consumer benefits and a brand new, growing manufacturing sector if Congress allows the Production Tax Credit to expire. Businesses need certainty. That is why it is urgent that Congress extend the PTC now, or risk losing a bright new manufacturing sector.”

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