Wind energy is, perhaps, the most cost effective and plentiful source of alternative energy, and it remains a centerpiece of America's plan to reduce its dependence on foreign oil and make measurable progress in reducing the greenhouse gases that cause climate change. Federal policy and budget support, coupled with state mandates, private investment and increasingly favorable wind farm economics indicate that demand for wind energy systems components, including the composite-based nacelles, rotors, blades and towers that will be fabricated by ECC, will triple over the next several years. In addition, ECC's on-site capability to perform maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) on composite components of installed wind energy systems will expand aggressively. We enjoy category-leading advancements in composite materials, manufacturing processes and performance technologies that will ensure our prominence in wind energy for many years to come.
The market opportunity is substantial, and ECC is well positioned to benefit from the accelerating growth in demand in the years ahead. In 2008, the US wind industry installed nearly 4,800 large wind turbine systems, including over 14,300 individual wind blades. Under the newly-passed stimulus package, the United States will add at least 25,000 megawatts of new capacity from wind over the next three years, or nearly 17,000 new large wind turbines and 51,000 blades, resulting in at least $50 billion in new acquisition spending. More than $12 billion of this demand will target the composite structures (blades, nacelles, nosecones) associated with wind energy systems. ECC will reap a significant portion of this demand, perhaps as much as 7% with the full execution of our wind business plan, especially in light of our advancements in materials for use in fabricating these composite structures, our lifecycle-cost-reducing innovations in blade systems, and our unique sourcing strategies that will help to keep our costs among the lowest in the industry.
ECC's on-site maintenance, repair and overhaul capability and 24/7 field crew organization will enable us to capture a good share of the $3 billion US MRO market for wind energy systems in the US. With more than 20,000 wind systems in operation, many older than the 20-year expected life for early-stage composite structures, the US will face increasing requirements for repair, replacement and overhaul on existing systems.
