The renewables.digital research team has identified NextEra Energy as the largest renewable energy developer in the United States, with an estimated renewable capacity of approximately 37,000 MW. Based on its installed capacity, investment scale, and extensive project pipeline, the team concludes that NextEra Energy ranks among the leading renewable energy developers not just in the USA but also globally.
Which renewable energy assets is NextEra Energy developing?
NextEra Energy (formerly FPL Group, Inc.) has over 100 years of experience in the energy sector. It is now a leading wholesale power generator and operator of power plants, as well as being one of the world’s largest generators of renewable energy. Throughout this time, the Florida-based company has continually shifted its business towards new technologies. Initially, it operated power plants, water plants, gas plants, ice companies and laundry services. In recent years, NextEra’s energy business has focused on renewable energy sources. While the American company is still active in nuclear power plants and gas-fueled power stations, it has become the largest producer of wind and solar energy in the US.
NextEra Energy’s total installed capacity of renewable energy sources amounts to 37,000 MW. This comprises 33,000 MW of operating wind and solar energy, and 3,000 MW of operating battery storage. With 126 wind farms in operation across the US and Canada, NextEra Energy is the largest producer of wind energy in the US. NextEra is also developing and operating battery storage projects in 34 US states and Canada. The company aims to expand its renewable energy portfolio to 81 GW by 2027. Between 2024 and 2027, it expects to develop 18.5–22.4 GW of solar PV in the US.
Alternative candidates for the American renewable energy developer ranking
Our team also considered several other prominent renewable energy developers in the United States for the top position.
Invenergy, a Chicago-based energy company, is actively developing a broad portfolio of renewable energy projects, with a focus on solar power, onshore and offshore wind, hydrogen, and battery storage systems.In the solar sector, the company has already delivered 7.5 GW of capacity, with an additional 30 GW in the development pipeline. It has also completed 19 GW of onshore wind projects and is currently developing over 6 GW of offshore wind capacity. In the field of energy storage, the company has deployed systems totaling 3,000 megawatt-hours. Although Invenergy has already developed significant renewable energy capacity, it is still far behind NextEra Energy in terms of volume.
Clearway Energy is one of the leading independent clean energy developers and producers in the United States. The company has successfully completed over 400 renewable energy projects across 35 states. Its current development pipeline includes approximately 30 GW of solar, wind, and energy storage projects. Although Clearway Energy has a substantial development pipeline, it is currently unable to compete with NextEra Energy’s 80 GW target. However, Clearway Energy could secure the top spot in the future.
Recurrent Energy, headquartered in Austin, Texas, is a leading global platform for the development, ownership, and operation of utility-scale solar and energy storage projects. Founded in 2006, the company operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc.. To date, Recurrent Energy has developed 11 GWp of solar capacity and 3 GWh of battery energy storage across six continents. The company is active in 11 countries
Apex Clean Energy was founded in 2009 and is one of the fastest-growing clean energy companies in the U.S., developing utility-scale wind, solar, storage, distributed energy, and green fuel projects. With a 60 GW pipeline, it is building one of the largest renewable energy portfolios in the country. In January 2024, Apex signed a power purchase agreement with Microsoft for the 125 MW Wheatsborough Solar Project in Ohio, set to be operational in early 2025.
Picture Source: James Qualtrough via Unsplash
