Which U.S. State Generates The Most Wind Power?

Renewable energy sources like wind and solar have become increasingly important in the United States over the past decade. As concerns about climate change and energy independence grow, more attention has turned to harnessing clean energy sources like the wind. Today, wind power accounts for over 9% of electricity generation in the U.S., up from just 1.5% in 2008. With abundant wind resources available across much of the country, wind power has emerged as an affordable and sustainable part of America’s energy portfolio.

The growth of wind power generation varies widely by state. Factors like wind resource quality, state policies, and access to transmission lines impact wind farm development. As a renewable energy leader, understanding where most of America’s wind power is generated provides insight into the future of green energy. Examining wind power generation by state illustrates America’s diverse energy landscape.

Importance of Wind Power

Wind power provides a number of important benefits as a sustainable clean energy source (https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/advantages-and-challenges-wind-energy). First, wind energy is a renewable resource, meaning it will not run out like fossil fuels. Wind turbines capture the kinetic energy of wind and convert it into electricity without producing any emissions. This makes wind power an excellent clean energy source that does not contribute to climate change or pollution (https://www.enelgreenpower.com/learning-hub/renewable-energies/wind-energy/advantages-wind-energy). Unlike coal or natural gas, wind power generation results in zero carbon emissions and zero air or water pollution. Expanding wind power can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and improve public health by reducing associated emissions.

Another advantage of wind power is its abundance. Wind is free and unlimited, and wind turbines can be built on land or offshore in windy areas to capture this clean renewable resource. Wind power provides energy security by harnessing local resources and reducing dependence on imported fuels. Studies estimate there is more than enough wind energy potential to meet global energy demands several times over (https://www.acciona.com/renewable-energy/wind-energy/). Investing in wind power diversifies the energy supply and provides a sustainable alternative to non-renewable sources.

Leading Wind Power States

While wind power capacity exists in almost every U.S. state, there are a few key states that generate the bulk of the country’s wind energy. According to data from the Energy Information Administration, the top five wind power producing states in 2022 were:

#1 – Texas

With over 36,000 megawatts of installed wind capacity, Texas generates more wind power than any other state. The Lone Star state got 27.1% of its electricity from wind in 2021. Major wind farms in Texas include the Roscoe Wind Farm and the Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center.

#2 – Iowa

Iowa generates the second highest amount of wind power in the U.S., with over 13,000 megawatts of installed capacity. In 2021, wind accounted for 57% of Iowa’s net electricity generation. The state is home to several massive wind farms, including the Twin Forks Wind Farm and the Rolling Hills Wind Farm.

#3 – Oklahoma

With over 9,000 megawatts of wind power capacity, Oklahoma ranks third for wind generation nationwide. The state got 36.1% of its electricity from wind in 2021. Major wind farms in Oklahoma include the Maverick Wind Farm and the Centennial Wind Farm.

#4 – California

California has over 6,000 megawatts of installed wind capacity, generating 9.2% of its electricity from wind power. Large wind farms in California include San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm and the Alta Wind Energy Center.

#5 – Kansas

Rounding out the top five is Kansas, which has over 6,000 megawatts of wind generation capacity. In 2021, wind accounted for 47.5% of the state’s net electricity generation. Notable Kansas wind farms include the Meridian Way Wind Farm and the Spearville Wind Energy Facility.

#1 – Texas

Texas leads the nation in wind power generation due to its favorable geographic location and proactive policies. The state has over 15,000 wind turbines across the plains of West Texas and the Texas Panhandle, areas with optimal wind conditions. Texas surpassed 30 gigawatts of wind capacity in the fall of 2022, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). This represents over a third of all the wind power generation capacity in the United States.

Texas has actively invested in and incentivized wind power. The state passed legislation in 2005 that created Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ) to expand transmission lines from windy rural areas to more populated cities (Wikipedia). These transmission lines allowed more wind power to reach major electricity markets. Texas also offers tax abatements and exemptions for renewable energy. The state’s abundant open lands, sustained winds, and supportive policies have allowed Texas to become the clear national leader in wind power generation.

#2 – Iowa

Iowa has emerged as a major wind power producer in recent years. The state currently ranks second in the nation for installed wind power capacity at over 10,000 megawatts. Iowa generates over 40% of its electricity from wind power, the highest share of any state. Much of Iowa’s success with wind power comes from favorable geographic conditions, with strong wind resources across the state. Iowa’s flat terrain and sparse population also provides ideal locations to build wind farms.

Several factors have driven the rapid growth of wind power in Iowa. The state has implemented progressive policies supporting wind energy development, including renewable portfolio standards requiring utilities to obtain a percentage of their power from renewable sources. Iowa offers production tax credits to further incentivize wind farm construction. The state also has an abundant wind resource, with average wind speeds optimal for utility-scale wind turbines.

Major wind farms in Iowa include the Pomeroy Wind Farm, Rolling Hills Wind Farm, and the recently completed MidAmerican Energy Wind XI project. Iowa wind projects generate lease payments for landowners and increase economic activity and tax revenue for local communities. As wind power expands, Iowa will continue building its renewable energy economy and reducing statewide carbon emissions.

#3 – Oklahoma

Oklahoma has vast wind energy resources and currently has the third highest installed wind capacity in the United States, after Texas and Iowa. According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), Oklahoma had over 8,072 MW of installed wind capacity at the end of 2021.

Oklahoma has high quality wind resources, with capacity factors that can exceed 40%. Much of the best wind resources are found in northwestern Oklahoma. The state has a renewable portfolio standard that requires utilities to source 15% of their electricity from renewable sources like wind by 2015.

Some of the largest wind farms in Oklahoma include the Traverse Wind Energy Center with 999 MW capacity, the Maverick Wind Project with 287 MW capacity, and the Centennial Wind Farm with 999 MW capacity (Wikipedia).

Wind energy has brought enormous economic benefits to Oklahoma in the form of jobs, tax revenue, and lease payments to landowners. According to AWEA, there are over 120 wind-related manufacturing facilities in the state, employing thousands of workers.

Looking ahead, Oklahoma has the potential to substantially expand its wind energy production. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Oklahoma has the technical potential to install over 50,000 MW of onshore wind capacity.

#4 – California

California has made major investments in wind power over the past few decades and is now one of the top producers of wind energy in the United States. As of 2019, California had 5,973 megawatts (MW) of installed wind capacity, providing over 7% of the state’s electricity needs (Wind Energy in California).

The majority of California’s wind turbines are located in six key regions: Altamont Pass, San Gorgonio Pass, Tehachapi Pass, Solano County, Pacheco Pass and the San Diego County area (Wind power in California). Favorable wind speeds in these mountain passes and gaps have allowed California to harness its wind resources effectively. In 2020 alone, California wind projects generated 13,703 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity (CalWEA).

California continues to expand its wind energy portfolio. Recent projects include the Alta Wind Energy Center in Tehachapi, the largest wind farm in the United States. Offshore wind also presents an attractive opportunity for the future. With strong coastal wind resources, initiatives are underway to develop offshore wind farms along the California coast.

#5 – Kansas

Kansas has become a major producer of wind power in recent years. According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), Kansas had over 6,113 megawatts (MW) of installed wind power capacity as of 2020, ranking it 5th among U.S. states. The state gets around 36% of its electricity from wind power.

Kansas has excellent wind resources, particularly in the western and central regions of the state. Studies estimate Kansas has the potential to generate over 900,000 MW of electricity from onshore wind turbines. The AWEA reports Kansas could generate enough wind power to satisfy over 90 times the state’s current electricity needs.

Large wind farms operate across Kansas, especially clustered in counties near the Colorado border. Some major wind projects in Kansas include the Solomon Forks Wind Farm with 200 MW capacity, Smoky Hills Wind Farm with 250 MW, and Meridian Way Wind Farm with 459 MW. Wind energy in Kansas provides over 19,000 jobs and over $60 million in annual land lease payments to local residents.

Kansas first began developing utility-scale wind farms in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Since then, wind energy has rapidly expanded. Supportive state policies like a renewable portfolio standard helped drive growth. Companies including BP Wind Energy, EDP Renewables, NextEra Energy Resources, and Enel Green Power have wind operations in Kansas.

The outlook for continued wind power expansion in Kansas remains strong. With its prime wind resource and transmission infrastructure, Kansas will likely remain a top state for wind energy production into the future.

Future Outlook

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the wind power sector is projected to see strong growth in the coming years. The DOE’s latest report forecasts 22% of all new electricity generation capacity added in the U.S. in 2022 will come from wind power, second only to solar (U.S. Department of Energy Projects Strong Growth in U.S. Wind Power Sector). Overall, wind power capacity is expected to nearly double from 118 GW in 2020 to over 200 GW in 2030 based on current projections.

The DOE has created a detailed map showing the projected growth of wind power capacity by state from now until 2050. According to the map, many Plains and Midwest states like Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa, and Kansas will continue leading wind capacity growth. Coastal states with offshore wind potential like North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and California are also projected for major capacity expansions (Projected Growth of the Wind Industry from Now Until 2050).

The International Energy Agency (IEA) also forecasts strong global growth for wind power capacity, with expected doubling of annual installations by 2028 compared to 2022. As technology improves and costs continue to fall, wind power is positioned to play an increasingly major role in renewable energy production and reducing carbon emissions worldwide.

Conclusion

Wind power provides important environmental benefits as a clean, renewable energy source that reduces reliance on fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. This helps combat climate change by reducing carbon emissions. Wind power also creates domestic jobs and economic growth, as the wind energy industry expands to meet demand. Key U.S. states like Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma, California, and Kansas are leading generators of wind power. With improved technologies allowing for taller turbines and greater efficiency, the future outlook for wind power remains strong. Wind energy will continue playing a vital role in building a sustainable energy future.