About 1% of all electricity is generated by wind. What's fascinating is the regional distribution:
The wind states of the future in the mid-west, especially Iowa (5.5%) and Minnesota (4.6%) are reaching the levels of the best European countries. These, and also the Dakotas etc., should reach Danish levels (20%) quite soon. But even in the populous state of Texas (2.0%) wind power is starting to make a real impact. The state is host to the largest wind farm, Horse Hollow, with 736 MW capacity.
It is also interesting to note that wind power currently develops at quite different speeds in the various states.
Top states installed:
Texas 4,446 MW
California 2,439 MW
Minnesota 1,299 MW
Iowa 1,271 MW
Washington 1,163 MW
Top states added:
Texas 1,618 MW
Colorado 776 MW
Illinois 592 MW
Oregon 447 MW
Minnesota 405 MW
This makes me wonder: what is going on in California? The state has extensive wind power since the 1980s, but recently not much is happening (63 MW increase in 2007). Is it really not the best place for wind or are there problems with the regulatory environment?
