The US wind industry installed more electric generating capacity than any other energy source in 2015.
The 8.6GW of wind capacity installed last year surpassed the 7.3GW of new solar and 6GW of natural gas capacities.
According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) the renewable power source “is off to a good start” this year, with an additional 9.4GW under construction and an extra 4.9GW in “advanced stages of development”.
Tom Kiernan, AWEA CEO said: “Wind’s growth is being propelled by cost reductions of two-thirds over the last six years, which now makes wind the lowest-cost source of new generation.
“It’s one of the biggest, fastest, cheapest ways we can reduce US carbon emissions and the low-cost solution for power sector reductions. Utilities and other purchasers are turning to wind energy also because it provides stably-priced energy with no fuel price risk and protects consumers by creating a more diverse energy portfolio.”
Renewable energy overtook fossil fuels as the biggest source of new power added to the electricity grids last year.
The UK onshore wind industry was however dealt with a blow last year when the government announced it would scrap support from April this year.