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Economic Climate Opens Door for Small Wind Energy Projects

Economic Climate Opens Door for Small Wind Energy Projects

REUTERS Renewable Energy World By Sarah Lozanova, Aug 18, 2009

Very few large-scale wind projects are able to obtain financing under the current economic climate. But falling turbine, steel and labor prices have created the perfect environment for mid-scale wind energy projects to thrive. Although total new installed capacity in 2009 may not rival the impressive 8,900 MW installed in North America in 2008, a golden opportunity exists for smaller wind development.

Small wind projects range in size from 100 kW to 30 MW and typically serve schools, farms, rural villages, businesses and municipal utility companies. Because these type of installations can access funding from various sources, they are less vulnerable to the credit crisis than their large-scale wind farm counterparts…………………

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Although 2009 may be a year to survive for some players in the wind industry, it presents a golden opportunity for the mid-scale market. Time will tell if this opening will result in a boom in this segment of the industry. “If this opportunity for smaller projects is successful, we will start seeing the turbines ordered this year for projects to be installed later in the year or in 2010,” says Slaymaker. “It sounds like there are a number of small to mid-size projects working towards turbine purchase right now.”

Reprinted with permission from

Economic Climate Opens Door for Small Wind Energy Projects | Green Business | Reuters

August 19, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, ENERGY, USA | renewables