Graph of wind power capacity in the USA from 1981 – 2005 (from 10 Megawatts to 9,149 megawatts).
From the American Wind Energy Association:
The only other countries around the world that have more wind power installed are Germany (19,140 MW as of the end of June), and Spain (10,728 MW).
AWEA expects the U.S. to pass the 15,000 MW mark by the end of 2007 and can have 25,000 MW installed by the end of 2010, with the proper policies in place. At this growth rate, the U.S. could have 100,000 MW installed by 2020, which would provide the nation with approximately 6% of its future power needs, about as much as hydropower provides today.
Related: Wind Power Technology Breakthrough – GE’s Edison Desk Blog – Solar Tower Power Generation
Thanks for passing on this info. A couple of additional points:
1) The U.S. just recently passed the 10,000-MW mark.
2) We are now in discussions with the U.S. Department of Energy about what it would take for wind to provide 20% of U.S. electricity. The wind resource is certainly there to sustain that level and more.
Regards,
Thomas O. Gray
American Wind Energy Association
http://www.awea.org
http://www.ifnotwind.org
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