Wind Power In CO: Has It Reached Its Peak?
Wind power has grown slowly but steadily in Colorado over the last decade. But now, with wind farms frequently coming online and manufacturing facilities buzzing with activity, the state faces the possibility of the wind energy industry screeching to an abrupt halt.
Colorado currently receives 9.2 percent of its generation capacity from wind power, generating the third highest percentage of power from wind of any state, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). Colorado has over 1,800 MW installed, which will be up to at least 2,000 MW by the end of this year, said Tanuj Deora, director of energy and environment at IHS Inc. And the potential for growth is strong – the state has over 16,602 MW of wind capacity in the queue, AWEA estimates.
