NAICS 221115

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the uniform framework Federal statistical agencies use to categorize business establishments so they can collect, analyze, and publish data on the U.S. economy. Developed under the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) with Canada and Mexico, it is updated on a five-year cycle; the current vintage is 2022. ¹
NAICS 221115 (Wind Electric Power Generation) designates establishments whose primary activity is generating electric power from wind; this national industry was delineated when electric power generation was split into specific renewable technologies. Agencies and the Economic Census use the code to publish industry statistics and support comparability across programs. ²

See also on G2X:

• G2X — NAICS 221114 Solar Electric Power Generation
• G2X — NAICS 221121 Electric Bulk Power Transmission and Control

What this NAICS covers

• Operation of wind-powered facilities that convert wind energy to electricity for delivery to transmission or distribution systems. ³
• Onshore wind farm generation as a primary business activity (independent producers or electric utilities). ³
• Offshore wind electric power generation operations as the primary establishment activity. ³
• Sale of generated electricity to bulk power transmission operators or distribution utilities. ³
• Management and operation of wind turbines and associated generation equipment at utility scale. ³
• Reporting of wind generation establishments in Economic Census and related statistical products under the 2022 NAICS structure. ¹
• Classification of wind generation separately from other renewable generation types since 2012. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
NAICS	221114	Solar Electric Power Generation
NAICS	221121	Electric Bulk Power Transmission and Control
NAICS	221122	Electric Power Distribution
PSC	9105	Electric Power Supply from a Third Party Generation Entity

Small business size standard (SBA)

• The SBA small business size standard for NAICS 221115 is 1,150 employees (effective March 17, 2023). ⁴

Common classification exclusions

• Construction of power lines, towers, and related structures for energy projects is classified under NAICS 237130, not in generation codes. ⁶
• Manufacturing wind turbines or turbine generator set units is classified under NAICS 333611, not generation. ⁷
• Operating the bulk power transmission system is classified under NAICS 221121, separate from generation. ⁸
• Operating local distribution systems to deliver electricity to end users is NAICS 221122, not generation. ⁹

Frequently asked questions

• What activities fall under NAICS 221115?
  Establishments primarily engaged in generating electricity from wind—whether onshore or offshore—and providing that power to transmission or distribution systems are coded to NAICS 221115. Generation is distinct from transmission and distribution activities in NAICS. ³

• How is 221115 different from 221114 or 221118?
  Beginning with the 2012 NAICS, “Other Electric Power Generation” was split into specific industries: solar 221114, wind 221115, geothermal 221116, biomass 221117, and a residual “other” 221118. Each code reflects the primary generation technology. ²

• What is the SBA small business size standard for 221115?
  SBA’s Table of Small Business Size Standards sets 1,150 employees as the small business threshold for NAICS 221115. The table is incorporated in 13 CFR 121.201 and took effect March 17, 2023. ⁴

• Which PSC codes are commonly used when buying electricity from generators?
  PSC 9105 covers “Electric Power Supply from a Third Party Generation Entity” and may be used when procuring supply from independent generators, including wind. PSC usage is selected based on what is being purchased in the action. ⁵

• When did agencies begin using the 2022 NAICS vintage?
  Census began releasing data on a 2022 NAICS basis with the 2022 Economic Census “First Look” in January 2024 and will complete adoption across programs by the end of 2027 (some exceptions later). ¹

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 221115 page: https://app.g2xchange.com/naics/221115
• Census: The Bureau’s implementation of the 2022 NAICS (overview and timeline). ¹
• Census: New in 2012 — split of electric power generation into 221114–221118. ²
• SBA: Table of Small Business Size Standards (effective March 17, 2023). ⁴
• GSA Acquisition.gov: Product and Service Codes Manual (includes PSC 9105). ⁵

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau — The Census Bureau’s Implementation of the 2022 NAICS: https://www.census.gov/library/reference/code-lists/naics/2022/implementation-timeline.html
2. U.S. Census Bureau — 2012 Economic Census, “New in 2012” (Electric Power Generation split): https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/year/2012/about/new.html
3. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS 2022 Code 221115: https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=221115&year=2022&details=221115
4. U.S. Small Business Administration — Table of Small Business Size Standards (PDF, effective March 17, 2023): https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/Table%20of%20Size%20Standards_Effective%20March%2017%2C%202023%20%282%29.pdf
5. Acquisition.gov — Product and Service Codes (PSC) Manual, April 2025 (PDF): https://origin-www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf
6. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS 2022 Code 237130: https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=237130&year=2022&details=237130
7. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS 2022 Code 333611: https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=333611&year=2022&details=333611
8. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS 2022 Code 221121: https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=221121&year=2022&details=221121
9. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS 2022 Code 221122: https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=221122&year=2022&details=221122