The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) says more than 1.6 GW of newly installed capacity wind turbines came online during the second quarter, with more than 13.6 GW currently under construction.

According to AWEA, more than 100 wind projects are under construction in 24 states, representing more than 13,600 MW of total wind capacity and over $20 billion worth of private investment. The majority of new wind construction activity is in Texas, with Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa and North Dakota also benefiting from large amounts of new investment.

The association notes that the second-quarter figure – when combined with first quarter installations – shows that nearly 2 GW were installed during the year's first half. Although that figure more than doubles installations during the same time period last year, it is still well below the pace set in 2012, when the U.S. industry installed more than 2,900 MW in the first half of the year.

‘With a near-record amount of wind capacity under construction, this looks to be a strong year for American wind power,’ says Tom Kiernan, AWEA's CEO. ‘However, to create longer term stability for the industry the full Senate and the House of Representatives must move quickly to extend the [production tax credit (PTC) and investment tax credit (ITC)]. Hence, the overwhelming bipartisan vote by the Senate Finance Committee to extend the PTC and ITC is good news for the 73,000 Americans employed by the wind power industry.’

According to AWEA, there are nearly 67.9 GW of installed wind capacity in the U.S. and more than 49,000 wind turbines online. Texas continues to lead the U.S. with more than 15 GW of installed wind capacity, and California now has more than 6 GW of installed capacity.