Wind power development in Pennsylvania is proceeding despite recent federal policy shifts aimed at limiting the sector’s growth. The state, while not a major national wind hub, has emerged as an active market for both new wind farm construction and repowering projects that upgrade existing installations with modern turbines.
Recent activity includes several significant undertakings. In 2024, Deriva Energy completed a repowering project at North Allegheny wind farm, increasing its capacity to 75 megawatts from 70 megawatts. That same year, Competitive Power Ventures initiated construction on the 114-megawatt Rogue’s Wind project, marking the company’s third coal-to-renewables conversion in the state. These efforts reflect a broader trend of developers replacing aging turbines with more efficient modern equipment at existing sites.
Private investment is accelerating Pennsylvania wind development. The Pittsburgh-based firm Exus Renewables North America recently secured $365 million in construction financing for two projects: the 61.6-megawatt Cambria Wind Farm, expected to begin operations later this year, and the 75-megawatt Highland North Wind Farm repowering project. Once operational, these facilities will bring Exus’s Pennsylvania wind portfolio to approximately 307 megawatts. Texas-based Leeward Renewable Energy is undertaking a separate repowering initiative in Cambria and Blair counties, with upgrades expected to be commissioned next year.
Despite this development activity, Pennsylvania trails national renewable energy expansion significantly. The state ranks 47th in renewable energy uptake, with renewables accounting for approximately 5 percent of its electricity generation as of earlier this year, up from 3 percent since 2016. National renewable generation increased nearly 200 percent over the past decade, while Pennsylvania’s rose only 81 percent. Comparable states like Texas derive 37 percent of electricity from wind and solar sources. Observers attribute Pennsylvania’s slower pace to policy obstacles and reduced incentives compared to leading renewable energy states.