In 2006, 2,454 megawatts of new wind generating capacity was installed, with $4 billion 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 (428 MW), California (212 MW), New York (185 MW) and Minnesota (150 MW).
A megawatt of wind power can serve between 250 and 300 homes on an average day.
Randall Swisher, AWEA Executive Director, said: iPodsflat screen televisions and other highly sought technologies are creating a demand for electricity that is beginning to eclipse our current supply. Wind is a provencost-effective source of energy that also alleviates global warming and enhances our nation's energy security. The industry continues to attract both private and public sources of capital."
Wind energy facilities currently installed in the US will produce an estimated 31 billion kilowatt-hours annuallyenough electricity to serve 2.9 million homes. This will displace approximately 23 million tons of carbon dioxide - the leading greenhouse gas - each yearwhich would otherwise be emitted by coalnatural gasoil and other traditional energy sources.
AWEAformed in 1974is the national trade association of the US wind energy industry.
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