Wind power in Minnesota

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Minnesota Wind Generation Capacity by Year
Megawatts of installed generating capacity[1][2]

At the end of 2012, the installed capacity for wind power in Minnesota was 2,986 megawatts (MW) with wind power accounting for 14.3% of the electricity generated in the state during 2012.[1][3]

Large wind farms in Minnesota include the Buffalo Ridge Wind Farm (225 MW), the Fenton Wind Farm (205.5 MW), the Nobles Wind Farm (201 MW) and the Bent Tree Wind Farm (201 MW).[4][5][6]

Fenton wind farm at sunrise

Contents

Transmission grid improvements [edit]

The CapX2020 project (capacity expansion 2020) is developing the transmission grid infrastructure to improve capacity, reliability, and support further wind power development. The project is mostly in Minnesota but reaches into North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin as well. One phase of the project, a line from Monticello to St. Cloud was completed in 2011. Other lines will run from near Brookings, South Dakota to Hampton, Minnesota, from Fargo, North Dakota to St. Cloud, and from LaCrosse, Wisconsin to Hampton. The project involves constructing about 590 miles of 345 kV transmission line and 68 miles of 238 kV transmission line. CapX2020 is expected to be completed around 2015.[7][8]

Wind generation [edit]

Minnesota Wind Generation in 2011
Minnesota Wind Generation (GWh, Million kWh)
Year Total Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
2009 5,053 502 481 545 545 475 307 268 318 258 418 411 459
2010 4,792 471 311 499 541 494 342 309 372 344 432 505 534
2011 6,826 495 697 566 672 707 503 313 295 359 732 807 716
2012 830 601 716 704 726 583 376 399 481 766 705

Source:[9][10]

See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b "Wind Powering America: Installed U.S. Wind Capacity and Wind Project Locations". U.S. Department of Energy. March 25 2013. Retrieved April 3 2013. 
  2. ^ "AWEA 4th quarter 2011 Public Market Report". American Wind Energy Association(AWEA). January 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2012. 
  3. ^ "Wind Now 10% of Electricity in Nine States, Over 20% in Iowa, South Dakota". RenewableEnergyWorld.com. March 18, 2013. 
  4. ^ Province dedicates Canada's largest solar PV project
  5. ^ enXco and Xcel Energy Announce Operation of Nobles Wind Project
  6. ^ Bent Tree Wind Farm up and running
  7. ^ CapX2020 powered up
  8. ^ CapX2020 FAQ
  9. ^ EIA (July 27, 2012). "Electric Power Monthly Table 1.17.A.". United States Department of Energy. Retrieved 2012-08-15. 
  10. ^ EIA (July 27, 2012). "Electric Power Monthly Table 1.17.B.". United States Department of Energy. Retrieved 2012-08-15. 

External links [edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Wind power in Minnesota
Wind power by state
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Large wind farms
Wind power companies
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