US power generation grows 26 percent
Wind power generation in the United States will grow 26 percent in 2007, after increasing by 27 percent in 2006, says the American Wind Energy Association.
In 2006, 2454 megawatts of new wind generating capacity was installed, with US$4billion invested. Only natural gas generating plants accounted for more new power generation capacity.
Texas in 2006 took over from California as the top generator of wind power. Texas has the largest operating wind farm in the world, the 735MW Horse Hollow Wind Energy Centre in Nolan and Taylor counties. It installed 774MW of new wind generation last year, followed by Washington (428MW), California (212MW), New York (185MW) and Minnesota (150MW).
A megawatt of wind power can serve between 250 and 300 homes on an average day. Wind energy facilities currently installed in the US will produce an estimated 31 billion kilowatt-hours annually, enough electricity to serve 2.9 million homes.
For more information, visit www.awea.org
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