Which State Has The Greatest Power Capacity From Wind Farming?
Wind farming refers to the process of harnessing wind energy and converting it into electricity using large wind turbines. Wind power capacity is the maximum amount of electrical power that can be generated at a given point in time by wind turbines in a particular area.
In recent years, renewable energy sources like wind power have become increasingly important as the world looks to transition away from fossil fuels. Determining which U.S. state has the greatest wind power capacity can provide insights into the future growth potential of wind energy.
This article will examine the leading wind power states in America and determine which one currently has the greatest capacity for harnessing energy from wind farms.
Wind Power Basics
Wind turbines harness the power of the wind to generate clean, renewable electricity. Wind turns the long blades of a wind turbine, which spin a shaft connected to a generator that converts the mechanical power into electrical power (How Do Wind Turbines Work?, 2022). The wind flows over the turbine’s aerodynamically designed blades, creating lift and causing them to turn. The rotating blades spin the shaft, which is connected to a gearbox that increases the rotational speed. This high-speed shaft then turns the generator to produce electricity (How does a wind turbine work?, 2023).
Wind power has several key advantages as an energy source. Since the wind is free and replenished naturally, wind power generation emits no greenhouse gases or air pollutants. Wind farms can also be built quickly and virtually anywhere with sufficient wind. Wind power already contributes a significant share of electricity generation in many countries around the world. With turbines getting increasingly larger and efficient, wind’s growth is expected to continue as a sustainable renewable energy solution (How Do Wind Turbines Work?, 2022).
Leading Wind Power States
Several states lead the way when it comes to wind power capacity in the United States. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the top five wind power states in 2021 were:
- Texas – 36,008 MW installed capacity, representing 27% of total U.S. wind power capacity ( Nebraska Energy Office)
- Iowa – 12,045 MW installed capacity (Choose Energy)
- Oklahoma – 9,165 MW installed capacity (Choose Energy)
- California – 7,898 MW installed capacity (Choose Energy)
These four states have abundant wind resources and supportive policies that have enabled major growth in wind power over the past decade. Texas far outpaces other states in installed wind capacity due to its vast open spaces, Gulf winds, and pro-renewables policies. Iowa and Oklahoma also possess excellent wind resources that make them leaders in wind power generation. California has struggled with permitting issues but remains a top wind state given its early support of renewables.
Texas Wind Power Industry
Texas has seen impressive growth in wind power over the last two decades. According to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Texas had just 116 megawatts (MW) of wind power capacity in 1999. By 2011, Texas became the first state to surpass 10,000 MW of installed wind capacity. As of January 2023, Texas had over 33,000 MW of installed wind power capacity, far exceeding any other state.
According to the American Clean Power Association, at the end of 2021 Texas had over 35% of the total installed wind power capacity in the United States. Texas continues to lead the nation by a wide margin, with Iowa a distant second at 11,699 MW. Wind turbines now provide about 25% of all electricity generated in Texas, more than any other source including natural gas.
Major wind farms in Texas include the Roscoe Wind Farm (782 MW capacity), the Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center (735 MW), and the Capricorn Ridge Wind Farm (662 MW). Some of the largest wind energy companies operating wind farms in Texas include E.ON, NextEra Energy Resources, Invenergy, and AES. With its vast open plains and consistent wind patterns, Texas offers ideal conditions for wind power generation.
Iowa’s Wind Leadership
Iowa has been a leader in wind power generation for over a decade. The state first broke 1,000 megawatts (MW) of installed wind capacity in 2004 and reached over 12,200 MW by 2022, ranking second in the nation for total wind power capacity behind Texas [1]. Iowa continues to expand its wind energy production each year, installing 1.7 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity in 2019 alone, more than any previous year [2].
As of 2021, wind turbines provided over 57% of Iowa’s total electricity generation. The state now has over 6,000 wind turbines operating across the state, which is more per square mile than any other state [3]. Iowa’s leadership in wind power stems from supportive policies, ideal geography with strong wind resources, and a robust local wind energy industry. With the economics of wind continuing to improve, Iowa is poised for even more growth in the years ahead.
With over 12,000 MW of installed wind capacity as of 2022, Iowa thoroughly dominates the midwestern region for wind power and shows no signs of slowing down. The state’s early adoption of wind energy and sustained growth makes it a model for renewable expansion nationwide.
Oklahoma’s Untapped Potential
As of September 2022, Oklahoma had over 10,500 megawatts of installed wind power capacity, with wind accounting for 38% of the state’s total electricity generation (Source). This makes Oklahoma the third largest wind power state in the country. However, experts believe there is still great potential for further wind energy growth in the state.
Oklahoma has strong wind resources, with average wind speeds of 8.5-9.0 m/s at 80 meter hub heights across much of the state. Newer, larger turbines are able to harness Oklahoma’s plentiful winds to generate even more electricity. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates Oklahoma’s total onshore wind power potential at over 300 gigawatts (Source).
With abundant open spaces, supportive policies, and high electricity demand, Oklahoma is well positioned to continue expanding its wind power capacity. Major opportunities exist to build new wind farms, repower old sites with larger turbines, and strengthen transmission infrastructure to bring more wind energy online. If fully developed, Oklahoma’s wind resources could make the state a national leader in renewable power generation.
California’s Wind Power Struggles
California had a total of 5,662 megawatts of installed wind generation capacity at the end of 2015 according to Wikipedia. After leading the country for many years, California has stagnated in wind power growth in recent years due to policy and infrastructure challenges.
According to the California Wind Energy Association (CalWEA), there are currently wind energy projects totaling at least 5,787 megawatts (MW) of capacity operating in California today, providing enough electricity to power about 2.3 million homes. However, growth has slowed compared to leading wind power states.
The California Energy Commission notes several challenges, including permitting delays, lack of transmission capacity to bring power from remote windy regions to population centers, and expiring federal tax credits. Additionally, California has more difficult terrain for wind power with fewer prime wind resources compared to the Great Plains states.
Comparing the Top States
When comparing the top wind power states in the U.S., Texas far outpaces the rest in total installed capacity. As of 2022, Texas had over 36,000 MW of installed wind capacity, accounting for over 27% of the total U.S. wind power capacity according to the Energy Office (https://neo.ne.gov/programs/stats/inf/205.htm). The next closest state is Iowa with over 13,000 MW installed, followed by Oklahoma with over 9,500 MW.
Here’s a summary table comparing the top wind power states by total installed capacity:
| State | Installed Wind Capacity (MW) | Share of U.S. Total |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 36,008 | 27.1% |
| Iowa | 13,145 | 9.9% |
| Oklahoma | 9,548 | 7.2% |
As the table shows, Texas has by far the greatest installed wind power capacity of any state, with over 3 times as much capacity as Iowa, the next highest state. This massive lead in wind farm capacity makes Texas the clear winner when it comes to wind energy production potential.
The Winner: Texas
Texas has dominated wind power capacity compared to other states for several reasons. According to the Texas Comptroller’s office [1], Texas has ample open spaces for wind farms and consistent wind patterns. The state also has a deregulated energy market and robust transmission infrastructure that enabled rapid wind power deployment.
As of 2023, Texas has over 33,000 megawatts (MW) of installed wind capacity [2], more than double the next highest state, Iowa, which has just over 11,000 MW [3]. Wind power accounted for 28.6% of Texas’ electricity generation capacity in 2023 [2]. With ample wind resources and policies favorable to renewable energy growth, Texas is poised to further expand its lead in wind power capacity.
Future Outlook
Projections show substantial growth ahead for wind power in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, wind power capacity could reach over 500 GW by 2050, more than triple current levels. This growth will likely be driven by states that have already established themselves as wind leaders like Texas, Iowa, and Oklahoma.
However, other states have significant potential to gain ground in wind power production. For example, New Mexico currently ranks 11th but has the potential to move into the top 5 wind states. The DOE projects New Mexico could add over 7 GW of new wind capacity. Similarly, Wyoming and Nebraska are poised for new wind farm development that could boost their wind power output.
Offshore wind, while still nascent in the U.S., offers states like Massachusetts, New York, and California the chance to catch up to leaders like Texas and Iowa. According to projections, offshore wind capacity could reach over 100 GW by 2050. With shallow coastal waters ideal for offshore wind farms, these states are investing heavily in offshore wind projects that may transform their renewable energy mix in the coming decades.
In summary, the future looks bright for wind power across America. While Texas is likely to remain the wind leader due to its vast onshore resources, other states have opportunities to expand their wind energy portfolios and reduce their carbon footprints. The growth of offshore wind and continued onshore developments will spread wind power to more states in the years ahead.
