Dive Brief:
- In 2013, 12 states accounted for 80% of U.S. wind-generated electricity, a combined total of 134 million megawatt-hours.
- Texas was the top wind power state with nearly 36 million megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity. Iowa was second, with more than 15 million MWh.
- California’s wind production was third and, for the first time, beat its geothermal output. Oklahoma was next, followed by Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Oregon, Colorado, Washington, North Dakota, and Wyoming.
Dive Insight:
The U.S. got 167 million MWh of electricity from wind in 2013, or 4.1% of U.S. generation. It was a 19% increase over 2012’s 3.5% of U.S. generation.
Texas has been setting records for wind production over and over this windy Spring as a result of increased transmission capacity. The California grid operator recently told this reporter record wind production is also expected.
23 states increased wind generation more than 10% over 2012 production. 37 states reported some wind-generated electricity. Iowa led in net electricity production from wind with 27.4%. South Dakota was second at 26% while Kansas, Idaho, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Colorado, Oregon, Wyoming, and Texas all got more than twice the national 4.1% level.
