Total subsidies to wind energy in the US fell by nearly 80 percent from 2013 to 2016, shows a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), according to industry media Windpower Monthly.

The IEA has calculated total funding for a range of energy sources, covering both subsidies via "direct costs" and the US PTC scheme which provides tax rebates, research and development and loan programs.

The study shows that total subsidies to wind declined by USD 1.27 billion in 2016 from USD 6.19 billion in 2013. According to the industry media, the decline is attributed to a significant decline in direct grants.

In 2016, subsidies to solar energy were USD 2.23 billion, a decline from USD 5.76 billion in 2013, shows the same report.

The total subsidies for renewables declined by USD 6.68 billion in 2016 from USD 15.26 billion three years prior.

According to Windpower Monthly, direct expenses to wind operators fell by USD 4 billion in 2016. In 2013, the US government issued USD 4.5 billion in this type of study.

In the report, the agency describes expenses such as "the amount of grants, loans or other financial assistance directly awarded to beneficiaries."

Subsidies via tax rebates declined in the same period by 2.6 percent to USD 1.24 billion in 2016, where this type of subsidy made up 80 percent of total subsidies for wind energy, the report writes, according to Windpower Monthly.

English Edit: Lena Rutkowski

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