Natural gas is California’s primary source of electricity, making up about 42 percent of the state’s supply. Nuclear and hydropower make up most of the rest of the grid. But, a report released today from the California Wind Energy Association, an industry trade group, says wind power is on pace to make a dent in the natural gas industry’s market dominance and meet the state’s long-term goal of 33 percent renewable energy by 2020.
California Energy Commission data from 2010 says wind made up 4.7 percent of the state's electricity supply, while solar made up 0.3 percent. The state Energy Commission says in 2011 wind projects generating 921 megawatts - roughly enough electricity for more than 400,000 homes - were installed across the state. The wind association says that’s enough to put it above the milestone 5 percent mark. The Energy Commission says utilities are increasingly signing contracts for renewable projects.
Nancy Rader, executive director of Berkeley-based CalWEA says wind “has come a long way and is helping to drive California closer to reaching its goal of 33 percent renewable energy."
Most of California’s wind turbines are clustered in three regions: the Altamont Pass in Northern California and Tehachapi and the San Gorgonio Pass, both in Southern California. While solar panels are appearing more and more on homes across the state, large wind farms tucked away in windy mountain passes produce much more energy.
"California is one of the strongest wind markets in the nation," said Mark Tholke, vice president of Origination for EnXco, which has several wind projects in the North Bay’s Solano County. "Wind power has been quietly meeting the state's renewable energy benchmarks for several years."
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