Report Highlights Technology Advancement and Value of Wind Energy

Wind energy continues to see strong growth, solid performance, and attractive prices. in the U.S., according to a report released by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and prepared by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory ÜBerkeley Lab). With levelized costs of just over $30 per megawatt-hour (MWh) for newly built projects, the cost of wind is well below its grid-system, health, and climate benefits. "Wind energy prices - particularly in the central United States, and supported by federal tax incentives - remain low even with ongoing supply chain pressures, with utilities and corporate buyers selecting wind as a low-cost option," said Ryan Wiser , a senior scientist in Berkeley Lab's Energy Technologies Area. "Considering the health and climate benefits of wind energy makes the economics even better," he added. Key findings from DOE's annual " Land-Based Wind Market Report " include the following: o Wind comprises a growing share of electricity supply. U.S. wind power capacity grew at a strong pace in 2021, with 13.4 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity added representing a $20 billion investment and 32% of all U.S. capacity additions. Wind energy output rose to account for more than 9% of the entire nation's electricity supply. At least 247 GW of wind are seeking access to the transmission system; 77 GW of this capacity are offshore wind, and 19 GW are hybrid plants that pair wind with energy storage or solar. o Wind project performance has increased over the decades.