Wind Energy is Fast Expanding - Guess Where?

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According to Wind Powering America: Installed U.S. Wind Capacity and Wind Project Locations wind energy is expanding in areas that most people would not expect. Back in 1999 California was the leader in wind energy installed, but no longer. Texas is the current leader in wind energy generation. Yes Texas, a state not thought of as being a leader in wind by many, due to the oil interest in the state, I suppose.

But Texas has always been active in wind energy generation. In 1999 here was the top four states were:

1 - California with 1616 megawatts
2 - Minnesota with 273 megawatts
3 - Iowa with 242 megawatts
4 - Texas with 184 megawatts

Now as of January 31, 2009 here are the top 4 states:

1 - Texas with 7113 megawatts
2 - Iowa with 2791 megawatts
3 - California with 2537 megawatts
4 - Minnesota with 2753 megawatts

States that have grown their wind energy generation since 1999 present a somewhat different listing though:

1 - Texas with 6929 megawatts added
2 - Iowa with 2549 megawatts added
3 - Minnesota with 2480 megawatts added
4 - Oregon with 1942 megawatts added
5 - Washington with 1375 megawatts added (up from 0!)
6 - Colorado with 1046 megawatts added
7 - California with 921 megawatts added

It appears wind is expanding at a great clip. Bear in mind this data is based on installed capacity. So far I've not been able to find any data on actual megawatt-hours of generation. This would be the true measure because when there is no wind, there is no generation.

See also: Wind Turbine Energy: How It Works and Stocks to Watch

rbinck,
Hang in there & keep pushing for wind energy I live in the midwest where the wind blows or the sun shines. Why are we using resources to fuel our needs when the good Lord has provided all of this for free. We need to concerve our expendable resources as much as possible.
Thanks, MDAGREENIT

Hi great to hear about all of the energy being produced....We here in Inishowen in western Ireland are now not only producing enough energy for ourselves, we have enough wind energy to export....maybe it will be Ireland's next big export.....

Awesome info. That's amazing that Texas setup so many wind farms. Are these numbers including private companies too or just the state's wind farms?