Why wind power is still booming in the U.S.—despite Trump’s hatred

Donald Trump's presidency initiated a significant shift against wind energy, halting offshore and federal land wind project leases and approvals. His opposition stemmed from a personal dislike of windmills, despite their economic benefits and status as the cheapest new energy source. This contrasted sharply with the Biden administration's pro-renewable energy stance. However, the wind industry experienced continued growth, primarily fueled by the burgeoning demand from tech companies building data centers. This high energy demand makes wind and solar power economically attractive alternatives to fossil fuels. Despite Trump's actions, many projects already underway continued, as planning and construction take years. Challenges remain, including permitting delays, supply chain issues, and uncertainty caused by the Inflation Reduction Act. Although wind installations decreased in 2024, some developers reported no slowdown in their projects, attributing this to continued high demand and onshoring efforts. Trump's policies, despite their anti-renewable energy rhetoric, did not entirely stifle renewable energy growth during his first term. The future impact of current policies on the renewable energy sector remains uncertain.