U.S. Wind Orders Hit 2.8 GW Ahead of Tax Deadline — SkimNews
Get the Energy newsletter
Daily energy & climate — solar, EVs, oil, the policy fights and tech bets shaping the transition. Free.
- U.S. turbine orders reached 2.8 GW in the second quarter as developers rushed to commence construction before July 4, 2026 tax-credit deadlines.
- SunZia accounted for most of the roughly 5 GW of U.S. onshore capacity installed in Q2; the New Mexico project totals 3.65 GW and is the country's largest onshore wind project to date.
- One Big Beautiful Bill Act moved up wind and solar deadlines for the 45Y and 48E tax credits: projects that miss the summer construction cutoff must be placed in service by Dec. 31, 2027, while those meeting July 4 have until Dec. 31, 2030.
- U.S. onshore wind remains on course to add 39 GW of new-build capacity by 2030, with more than half of the 2026-28 project pipeline already operating or under construction, limiting near-term risk.
- Offshore wind is limited to 5 GW delivering within the next two years as unfavorable policy, including Trump's federal lease-sales pause, administration lease buybacks and court efforts against projects under construction, restrains development.
- Repowering forecasts were pulled back 1 GW quarter over quarter because repower-equipment orders came in below expectations, even as tax credits continued to incentivize fleet renewal alongside decommissioning opportunities through 2030.
- American Society of Civil Engineers is expected to publish guidelines next year requiring wind turbines in tornado-prone areas to meet added design requirements, which the report says will increase project costs.
Why it matters: Developers that cleared the July 4 construction cutoff have until Dec. 31, 2030 to place projects in service, versus Dec. 31, 2027 for projects that missed it. That longer runway, plus the fact that more than half of the 2026-28 onshore pipeline is already operating or under construction, limits near-term risk to the 39 GW-by-2030 buildout.
Ask SkimNews
