Energy: Wind-Based Power Generation Continues to Expand

Although it still does not account for a major portion of electricity generation, the use of wind power is expanding in many nations, including the United States. According to a report from the U.S. Department of Energy, the electrical generation capacity of wind power in the United States "increased by 27 percent in 2006." The report also indicates that new wind power installations built in 2006 produce enough electricity to "power the homes in a city the size of Philadelphia," and states that Texas, California, and Washington have had the most substantial annual growth in generating capacity. It points out that wind-generated electricity has "consistently been priced at, or below, the average price of conventional electricity," as well.

Wind power is also being expanded in some European countries. According to a June 1st Agence-France Presse article on the IndustryWeek website, the chief executive of Germany's largest electricity supplier stated that they plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to "roughly 0.36 tons per megawatt-hour by 2030", which is "50% less than in 1990." He indicated that three billion euros (equivalent to approximately 4.03 billion U.S. dollars) will be spent on renewable energy, with an emphasis on construction of new wind power plants. A Reuters report from earlier last month (May 7th) indicated that the Italian Industry Ministry's energy adviser stated his country is likely to double its "capacity target for growing the wind energy sector." It also indicated that about "3.5 billion kilowatt hours of electricity" were generated by Italian wind power in 2006. However, it pointed out that this is only about one percent of the electricity demand in Italy.