AWEA Regional Wind Energy SummitA Recap Focused on California

La Jolla, CA / January 14, 2013Recap by Liston Witherill

The Big Idea of the Day

California’s RPS requirement has succeeded. No need for additional contracts.

Chart by CPUC Commissioner Catherine Sandoval

Anecdotes Support It Too

Consultants working to install meteorological towers, a leading indicator of wind development, have seen a slowdown in new installations.

Prominent wind developers like EDF Renewables are now focusing their efforts on the solar markets.

More Bad News

Despite Production Tax Credit renewal, it is only for 12 months and a new mechanism is needed. Energy demand is flat. RPS is mostly met. Competition is putting downward pressure on prices.

Where’s the good news?

New Financing Options

MLPs and REITs – traditionally used as finance vehicles for real estate and non-renewable energy – could be applied to renewables. There is currently bipartisan support in Congress.

Infrastructure Modernization: Needed

Western states will spend

$200 Billion over next 20 yearsto modernize infrastructure

Source: Clean Energy Vision

In Summary

// California wind development is on hold /

/ New financing mechanisms could make further development

feasible /

/ Investment in energy infrastructure will be the focus until new

financing mechanisms are in place //