Wind and solar projects made up 96% of new electric capacity nationwide through the first half of this year.
Michael Shields, economist for ReImagine Appalachia, said the region’s existing skilled workers, manufacturing history, and unique geography could make the Commonwealth a key player.
"Kentucky makes a little bit over 2% of all of the ball and roller bearings that we build in the whole United States," Shields pointed out. "We look at this and say, OK, a little over 2% of bearing manufacturing jobs that the wind industry will create are likely to come to Kentucky."
According to the report, more than 73,000 wind turbines operating across the country generate enough power to keep the lights on in more than 46 million American homes.
Shields noted that while the Trump administration’s policies have created obstacles for states trying to develop wind power capacity, the need for clean energy will drive demand. He added that the region’s waterways along the Ohio River Valley could be major transportation routes for turbines.
"The industry has really been pushing to build wind turbines as large as they possibly can, and one of the challenges for that is that you reach a limit to what you can put on a truck."
The U.S. Department of Energy announced this month it is canceling around $7 billion in grants intended to fund clean energy projects in more than a dozen states.