Wind power in Alaska

Wind power in Alaska has the potential to provide all of the electricity used in the U.S. state of Alaska. From its installation, in July 2009 through October 2012, the Pillar Mountain Wind 4.5 MW wind farm has saved the use of nearly 3,000,000 US gallons (11,000,000 L) of diesel fuel in Kodiak, Alaska.[1]

A small wind turbine in Primrose, Alaska

Potential production
Alaska wind resources

In early 2010, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory released the first comprehensive update of wind energy potential by state since 1993, showing that Alaska has the potential to install 494,700 MW of wind power, capable of generating 1,620,000 million kWh/year.[2] Alaska used 6,291 million kWh in 2011.[3]

Projects
  • Eva Creek Wind Project[4]
  • Fire Island Wind Project[5]
  • Pillar Mountain Wind Project[6][7]

Statistics

The following is a table comparing the growth of wind power capacity in Alaska and the entire United States by year.

Year Alaska MW US MW
2005 1 9,149
2006 2 11,603
2007 2 16,819
2008 4 25,170
2009 9 35,159
2010 9 40,180
2011 11 46,919
2012 59 60,005
2013 62 61,110
2014 62 65,877
2015 62 72,472
2019[8] 64 105,583

See also

References
  1. Kodiak Electric Association
  2. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (February 4, 2010). "State wind energy potential (2010)". U.S. Department of Energy. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  3. Electric Power Monthly February 2012 Table 5.4.B.
  4. Eva Creek Wind Project
  5. Transporting Wind Farm Components
  6. kodiak electric association generation
  7. Alaska’s 1st Utility-Scale Wind Farm Gets Energy Storage Boost from Xtreme Power
  8. Wind Energy in Alaska
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