WIND ENERGY GROWTH
Union Pacific is one of the leaders in wind energy component transportation. Working with our subsidiary, Union Pacific Distribution Services (UPDS), we have transported an estimated 40,000 wind energy components since 2006. This equals approximately 5,000 wind turbines that can power about 1.8 million U.S. households.
According to the American Wind Energy Association, wind energy generating capacity increased 28 percent between 2010 and 2014. During the first three quarters of 2015, 3,596 megawatts of wind capacity were installed in the United States, double the rate of 2014.
As the need to transport wind energy components grows, rail offers shippers a more fuel-efficient alternative to trucks, and also reduces highway congestion, and wear and tear on roads.
The United States Department of Energy expects wind energy will grow as our country looks to lessen its dependence on fossil fuels. Union Pacific and UPDS are well-positioned to support customers' efforts to power our country with clean and sustainable energy.