Move Over, Oil, There’s Money in Texas Wind is an article in the February 23, 2008 issue of The New York Times that highlights the increasing investment in wind power in Texas and other parts of the United States. The article also includes a chart of state wind power generating capacity and there is a related slide show.
According to data from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), the total wind power generating capacity in the U.S. increased by 45% in 2007, with the addition of 5,244 megawatts (MW). This represented an investment of $9 billion. At the end of 2007, the total wind power generating capacity in the U.S. was 16,818 MW, with the leading states as follows:
- Texas – 4,356 MW
- California – 2,439 MW
- Minnesota – 1,299 MW
- Iowa – 1,273 MW
- Washington – 1,163 MW
According to AWEA, wind power is projected to produce approximately 48 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity in 2008, representing slightly more than 1% of the U.S. electricity supply (this is equivalent to the electricity needed for more than 4.5 million homes).
For more information:
- Move Over, Oil, There’s Money in Texas Wind (The New York Times, February 23, 2008). See also related slide show.
- The Energy Challenge (article series by The New York Times)
- American Wind Energy Association
- Installed U.S. Wind Power Capacity Surged 45% In 2007: American Wind Energy Association Market Report
- Emerging Energy Research