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Congressional Pushback on Federal Policies Could Boost US Wind Capacity, Wood Mackenzie Says

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The US may add 48 gigawatts of new wind capacity across onshore and offshore technologies between 2026 and 2032, as Congress pushes back on federal policy restrictions on the sector, Wood Mackenzie analysts stated in a note on Tuesday.

The firm's wind team estimates that 16 GW of onshore wind projects have been safe-harbored against the sunset of federal tax credits.

Including onshore wind projects under advanced development, permitting, and contracting, safe-harbored capacity could rise another 7 GW to 23 GW. For offshore projects, 6 GW are safe-harbored and already under construction, Wood Mackenzie strategists said.

With 12% of the US electricity generated from wind, it is the country's fourth-largest energy source.

All told, at least 25 states still maintain pro-wind policies. Though sentiment remains cautious, the federal government's tone toward wind is beginning to shift, according to the analysts.

On May 12, 55 Congressional members sent a letter to the Defense Department outlining concerns that new federal policies are delaying wind projects.

Wood Mackenzie analysts noted that regional transmission organizations that have high wind potential, ERCOT, MISO, and PJM, are planning over $60 billion in new transmission infrastructure.

Additionally, wind offers some of the strongest economic returns of any zero-carbon technology, according to Wood Mackenzie's analysts.

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