The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has just released a report revealing that renewable energy accounted for 49.10% of all new domestic electricity capacity in 2012, for a total of 12,956MW. Some 3,276MW (25.29%) came online during December 2012 alone.
This means that renewable energy now comprises 15.40% of total US generating capacity.
The ‘Energy Infrastructure Update’ report shows that the new capacity was generated by a multitude of renewable energy technologies including biomass, geothermal, solar, water and wind, with wind leading theway. 164 new wind power plants totalling 10,689MW were installed during 2012 followed by solar with 240 new plants totalling 1,476MW. Biomass added 100 new plants while geothermal, steam and water each added 13.
“If there were still any lingering doubts about the ability of renewable energy technologies to come on-line quickly and in amounts sufficient to displace fossil fuels and nuclear power, the 2012 numbers have put those doubts to rest” said Ken Bossong, Executive Director of the SUN DAY Campaign. “Not only has renewable energy become a major player in the U.S. electrical generation market, but it has also emerged in 2012 as THE reigning champion.”
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