The top wind power projects around the globe
With the need to generate electricity from renewable energy sources
worldwide, wind power projects grow in size and power
Andrea Marino | Thu Aug 5, 2010
Wind energy has proven to be a clean, low-cost energy source worldwide. As
a now relatively mainstream energy source, wind farms are being utilized
and developed globally to support a multitude of country�s energy needs.
Roscoe Farms
AWEA CEO, Denise Bode, said, �Americans recognize that wind, other forms
of renewable energy and energy efficiency mean new manufacturing jobs,
stronger national security and more clean, affordable energy for our
country.�
The Roscoe Wind Farm, located in Roscoe, Texas, is the largest wind farm
in the world, with a total of 627 wind turbines installed, generating 782
megawatts of power. The project was completed by C.ON Climate and
Renewables (EC&R) in October of 2009, and the wind turbines were
manufactured by Siemens, General Electric (GE) and Mitsubishi. According
to AWEA, the Roscoe Wind Farm can create enough power for 250,000 average
American homes. Texas is home to six of the nation�s largest wind farms.
"Texas continues to lead the nation in the development of renewable energy
and has more wind generation capacity than any other state and all but
four countries," Rick Perry, Texas Governor, stated. "We are pleased that
E.ON Climate & Renewables North America has chosen to open this facility
in Roscoe that will further expand our state's diverse energy portfolio."
Piedra Larga Wind Farm
According to the World Wind Energy Association, �Latin America showed
encouraging growth and more than doubled its installations, mainly due to
Brazil and Mexico, in 2009. A total wind capacity of 200,000 megawatts
will be exceeded within the year 2010.�
Expected to be one of Mexico�s largest wind farms, the Piedra Larga
facility will be located in Oaxaca State, with an installed capacity of
228 megawatts of potential wind power. Iberdrola Ingenieria, will be a
major shareholder of the project, along with Global Energy Services Mexico
(GES). Iberdrola Ingenieria received a $99 million contract from Gesa
E�lica M�xico for the wind farm construction. The first stage of the
project, with 90 megawatts of installed capacity is due to be completed in
March, 2011, and the total project is expected to be completed in March
2012. Iberdrola has constructed two other wind farm projects already
existing in Mexico with 80 and 83 megawatts of power, and a third with a
potential installed capacity of 103 megawatts is also currently being
developed.
Markbygden Vind AB
According to Paolo Berrino of the European Wind Energy Association, �We
support the vision of the European Commission that by 2020 there should be
at least 34 percent of electricity coming from renewable energy. EWEA�s
scenario shows that 230GW of wind power installed capacity will be
available in the EU in 2020, which is equal to 14 to 17 percent of EU
electricity demand, depending on the demand side at that time.�
The Swedish renewable energy company, Svevind, is currently developing
Markbygden in Northern Sweden with the hopes of creating the largest wind
farm in Europe, and possibly for the future, the largest in the world. The
location has the potential for an instalment of up to 1,100 wind turbines,
and is considered to be ideal due to its wind conditions. The total
installed power is 2,500 to 4,000 megawatts, and the project�s estimated
annual energy production is 8 to 12 TWh. In May, 2008, Enercon, the
largest global wind power supplier in the world, became partial owner in
the project for the supply guarantee of turbines for Markbygden. The
project is expected to be complete by 2020.
Maranchon Wind Farm
The Maranchon Wind Farm, located in central Spain in the region of
Castilla La Mancha, consists of seven wind farms joined together. The wind
farm opened in 2006 and was then considered the largest wind development
in Europe. The overall combined capacity reaches 208 megawatts of clean
power. Spanish company and the world�s largest wind farm operator,
Iberdrola Renewables, owns and operates the Maranchon wind farms.
According to the Global Wind Energy Council, wind power supplies 11.5
percent of Spain�s electricity, generated from approximately 16,700 wind
turbines currently existing throughout the country. The region of Castilla
La Mancha currently has more installed wind capacity over all other
regions of Spain.
Whitelee Windfarm
The Whitelee Windfarm, developed by Scottish Power Renewables, consists of
140 wind turbines located on Eaglesham Moor, which is near central
Glasgow. The wind farm has the capacity to generate 322 megawatts of
electricity, which is estimated to be enough to power 180,000 homes. For
every single wind turbine on this wind farm, over 1,000 homes are powered.
The Whitelee Windfarm is currently the largest in Europe to date.
However, in 2011 the development of the Clyde Wind Farm is due to be
completed. The farm, which was approved by the Scottish Parliament in
2008, will be located in Lanarkshire, Scotland. With a proposed 152 wind
turbines generating 548 megawatts, and the capacity to generate enough
power for 320,000 homes, the Clyde Wind Farm will significantly surpass
Whitelee in size.
Dobrogea Wind Park
Berrino says, �The biggest [wind farm] in construction is probably the
Dobrogea Wind Park in Romania, which is however composed by two clusters:
Fantanele and Cogealac.� The total installed capacity is expected to reach
600 megawatts. Over 100 turbines have been installed so far for the first
phase of the project. The wind park construction is expected to be
completed in 2010.
Morocco Wind Farm
The largest wind farm in Africa is being developed in northern Morocco,
with 165 wind turbines spread over five farms. The wind farm is expected
to produce 140 megawatts of wind power, and will supply the region with
its power needs. Officials have said the farm will increase the country�s
electricity consumption from renewable energy sources to 42 percent, or
2,000 megawatts, by 2020.
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