US Becomes Largest Wind Power Producer in the World
The United States has overtaken Germany to become the largest producer of wind energy in the world, generating enough capacity to eliminate the burning of 91 million barrels of oil per year.
According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), US wind producers enjoyed another record year of growth in 2008—the third in a row. The country now has an installed wind power capacity well in excess of 21,000 megawatts (MW), enough to supply electricity to over 5.5 million American homes.
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According to Randall Swisher, AWEA Executive DIrector, “Wind energy installations are well ahead of the curve for contributing 20% of the U.S. electric power supply by 2030 as envisioned by the U.S. Department of Energy.”
Amazingly, this rapid progress was achieved under a governing administration that to many seemed, at best, indifferent to the plight of the renewable energy industry. If the US wind power industry is capable of becoming a world-leader during such times, it seems quite likely that the picture could improve even further with a more sympathetic leader at the helm.
Image Credit - vaxomatic via flickr.com on a Creative Commons license
Congratulation to US for overtaking DE. Considering that US population is more than 3x DE I would say it was about time that happened.
I now look forward to see US wind turbine capacity to overtake DE on a per capita basis.
@Rif, its more than that.
USA electricity consumption is x7 of DE.
We may be getting a more sympathetic leader, but plummeting demand for energy and therefore plummeting energy prices, combined with the pressing concerns of a new recession likely means that alternative energy isn’t going to see much of the spotlight or spending over the next few years. It’s simply not cost effective compared to traditional fuels at 1999 prices.
But I really hope I’m wrong.
I agree with Rif.
I live in Denmark and we already have 20% of our power covered by wind energy.
But I’m glad that they are ahead of the plans!
Agree with Rif, Anyway though, its an achivment.
While it’s true that we still lag in the area of per capita generation, I am encouraged that we have established a strong foothold in the area of wind power that will only expand at an even faster pace under the new administration.
What we need to keep in mind is that it is vital to build the infrastructure for our long term benefit, regardless what may happen to oil prices in the short term.
Although this is great news consider that energy consumption in the U.S based on 2006 data is 6.83 times that of Germany. (99.856 quadrillion btu’s vs. 14.629 for Germany).
See http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/international/energyconsumption.html
The windmills are causing a tremendous amount of visual pollution across the praries of America. They are ugly to look at. Perfer the way Lewis and Clark saw the wilds of the West.
No more windmills
Windmills provide energy to the energy hogs of the Northeast and large cities. They are polluting wild America with ugly junk. Only an idiot would think they are pleasant to look at.
Why did you have to insert a huge lie right in the middle of an otherwise informative article? It is NOT true that the current administrative is not supportive of wind power…do you think it is an accident that the state with the largest amount of wind turbines in use is the President’s home state? Why don’t you have your articles only printed in the yellow rag papers like the NY Times that can not let a few facts interfer with a good story.
@Jim: So what’s your plan, then? “Wind power bad, —- good!” Please fill in the blank.