Harnessing the benefits of clean, renewable energy, the US wind power industry has reportedly made installations of 2,800 MW in the first quarter of the year. The new installations have increased the total capacity to 28206MW, which will be sufficient to provide electricity to over 8-million homes across US. These wind power projects were placed in 15 States of the US.
The installations are a step forward for the US in achieving its clean energy targets. USA, under its energy and environment agenda, aims to increase renewable energy production to 10% by 2012 and further by 25% by 2025.
Key facts
• The total installations in the first quarter have led nine states of US to have a wind energy operating capacity of more than 1 gigawatt.
• The total operational wind power in US controls the release of 52 million tons of carbon emissions annually.
• The wind power installations in next three quarters are estimated to total 3400MW.
The following graph presents of the wind power installations of ten countries in last three years
All of the ten countries have witnessed a growing trend in wind power installations in the past three years. USA has emerged as a clear leader. The total installation capacity of the United States, Germany, Spain, China and India grew from 62% in 2006 to 73% in 2008. Other countries like Denmark and France are speeding up their wind power usage as Denmark gets one fifth of its electricity through wind energy. France, on the other hand has targeted installations of 12,500 MW, by 2010.
The following graph presents the percentage wind power generation of ten countries in last three years
Source: Wikipedia
Via: GreenBiz