Forget the Boom, Let's talk Post-2007

The AWEA has released its statement that the US wind energy market is experiencing a boom, with all the PTC strings attached to it.  No doubt the market could easily clear 3,000 MW in 2006.  Solid information on these projects is readily available.   But the post 2007 market questions are far from being answered.  Will there be a long term incentive? Can state RPS quotas hold up the industry? Will energy policymakers learn that, beyond a temporary oil price spike, wind helps wean the country off of a volatile energy source? By the time these questions are answered, wind developers are likely to be well on their way to handling merchant risk.