Wind energy continues growth across the nation

April 21, 2:08 PMDenver Weather ExaminerTony Hake

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This Xcel Energy wind farm in northern Colorado provides clean,
renewable power to the Front Range.  (AP Photo)

With the emphasis on renewable sources of energy, 2008 was a banner year for the wind energy industry.  According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), 8,500 megawatts (MW) of new wind power capacity was brought online in 2008.  This pushed the United States above Germany as the country producing the largest amount of wind-powered energy. 

The AWEA says 25,369 MW worth of power is now generated in the United States from wind – nearly enough to electricity for 7 million households.  In 2008 alone, over $17 billion was put into the economy from wind energy and 42% of all new power producing capability in the U.S. was from wind. 

While there is hope for wind power, it and other renewable
energies play a very small part in supplying power for the United
States. (AWEA)

Coal power which has been seen as a leading contributor to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and a cause of global warming now generates less than 50% of the power the United States uses although it still remains the # 1 method.  Natural gas and nuclear power are the second and third ranking generators.  Wind power and geothermal, while showing great promise, continue to be bit players in the overall picture.  They, along with other renewal sources make up less than 3% of our power needs. 

Within the United States, Texas is king in wind generation.  Examiner.com’s own Texas Environmental Policy Examiner, Caroline Calais, recently wrote that Texas alone is the world’s sixth largest wind-power producer by itself.  Other states that generate more than 1,000 MW from wind power include Iowa, California, Minnesota, Washington, Colorado, and Oregon.  See chart below. 

Colorado now generates just short of 6% of its power from wind – the third highest percentage of any state in the union.   Further, Xcel Energy is the top investor owned wind producer in the nation generating more than 2,900 MW across its territory. The state is primed to continue to be a leader not only in wind power generation but also wind power related manufacturing.  Danish firm Vestas Wind Systems is expanding into the state with a blade manufacturing plant in Windsor that will employ 650 people. 

Wind power capacity installations by state.  (AWEA)