About Wind Energy
Why Wind?
Tens of thousands of landowners have elected to participate in Invenergy wind projects; projects that diversify revenue streams and provide reliable income.
Wind energy is reliable, abundant, and affordable. According to the Lazard’s 2021 Levelized Cost of Energy Analysis1, onshore wind energy is the lowest cost energy resource and offers a natural hedge against volatile fuel prices. In today’s changing energy landscape, energy security is more critical than ever. This has placed an emphasis on the need for more locally produced energy resources and the lowest-cost option is renewables.
1Lazard, “Levelized Cost of Energy, Levelized Cost of Storage, and Levelized Cost of Hydrogen,” Lazard, October 28, 2021, https://www.lazard.com/perspective/levelized-cost-of-energy-levelized-cost-of-storage-and-levelized-cost-of-hydrogen/
Wind Energy’s Success
According to the American Clean Power Association, wind energy provides a quarter of the electricity produced in eight states, and over 9% of total U.S. energy production1
In 2021 a record high of over 120,000 Americans were full-time employees across the wind industry2 with more than 135,000 megawatts (MW) of operating wind capacity3. Invenergy developed projects produce over 17,000 megawatts of wind power across more than 100 operating projects.
1American Clean Power, “Wind Power Facts,” Clean Power, n.d., Wind Power Facts and Statistics | ACP (cleanpower.org)
2U.S. Department of Energy, “United States Energy & Employment Report 2022,” Energy.gov, June 2022, USEER 2022 National Report (energy.gov)
3American Clean Power, “Clean Power Annual Market Report 2021 Executive Summary,” Clean Power, May, 2022, 2021-ACP-Annual-Report-Final_Public.pdf (cleanpower.org)
Low Cost Wind
Wind power saves consumers money. Adding wind energy to the generation mix reduces electricity prices, helps protect against future price shocks, and makes the energy market more competitive. According to the American Clean Power Association, the cost to generate power from wind has declined by 47% from 2011-20211. With improved technology and U.S.-based manufacturing, wind energy is becoming the cheapest source of new electricity in the country.
1American Clean Power, “Clean Power Annual Market Report.”
Wind’s Environmental Benefits
Wind energy is a clean technology that does not produce harmful emissions that contribute to global climate change. A typical wind turbine will repay its construction carbon footprint in less than six months and generate emission-free electricity for the remainder of its 20-to-30-year lifespan1.
In 2021, wind energy avoided 327 million metric tons of CO2: the equivalent of 71 million cars off the road2. In that same year, Invenergy’s clean energy portfolio—which includes 17,600 megawatts of wind power—offset 49.7 million tons of CO2. That’s equivalent to planting 326 million trees or removing 9.8 million cars off the road. Invenergy is dedicated to being a responsible developer by ensuring regulatory compliance and ethical practices across project development and operations. Additionally, Invenergy’s in-house Environmental Compliance and Strategy team are subject matter experts in natural resource management, federal lands, policy and permitting, and vegetation management. This team consults on every project throughout its lifespan. We also work with appropriate staff at the local, state, and federal levels to ensure regulations are followed throughout all phases of the project.
1American Clean Power, “Clean Power Annual Market Report.”
2American Clean Power, “Clean Power Annual Market Report.”