AUG 15

With all sorts of stories coming out about biggests and firsts, we at EcoGeek figure it’s about time to take the pulse of wind power generation and find out just where the industry stands on giant wind projects.

Largest Operational Wind Farm in the World
Currently, Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center in Texas is the world's largest with a 735 MW capacity. Emphasis on “currently” – there is a whole lot coming down the pipeline that will dwarf the project. But, as far as operational single wind farms, this is the world’s biggest. The problem is, right now, any planned wind project bigger than Horse Hollow can claim to be the "World's Biggest." Hence the constant flow of "World's Biggest Wind Farm" headlines.

Largest Planned Project
That would be the Pickens’s Texas Project (2014) that will generate 4 GW, right? At least you thought so…Actually, the Pickens plan is beat by both and the 4.5 GW Tehachapi Renewal Project (2013) and South Dakota’s Titan Wind Project (date not set), which will generate over 5 GW. Kind of jaw-dropping, but considering the wind conditions in the Dakotas, not too surprising. The 900 MW Columbia River Project (already under construction) may hold the title for a while, but will be quickly beaten out by plants in the gigawatt range.

Largest Planned Offshore Project
The UK gets this one with its London Array project, expected to have a capacity of 1 GW. While sounding almost small compared to some of the planned onshore projects, this is a pretty big deal for offshore wind power generation.

Largest, and First, Planned Offshore Project in US
Bluewater Wind’s project slated for the coast of Delaware will have a 450 MW capacity, but could grow to as much as 600 MW.

Largest Planned Onshore Project in Europe
Scotland takes the cake with its Clyde-based wind farm that will have a capacity of 548 MW.

Largest Planned Project…EVER
Well, all we have to do for this category is look up above at previously mentioned “biggests.” Yep – the South Dakota Titan Wind Project is the largest wind farm planned anywhere in the world. However, this won't stand for long if China has anything to say about it with a short-term plan to produce over 100 gigawatts from wind power by 2020.

So there you have it…a line up that is sure to be outdated in, oh, a month or so. But don't worry...we'll keep you updated.

Comments (11)

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written by Tom, August 15, 2008

How do the quoted maximum capacities compare to the average yearly generated power? Does anyone know where I could find some data on this? Great news though don't forget the UK's planned Atlantic Array offshore of 1.5 GW

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Finance
written by Chris V, August 15, 2008

Time to invest in some wind turbine manufacturers. I suggest General Electric.

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Re: Finance
written by Arne, August 16, 2008

Repower is a German company with a working 6MW Turbine that seems to be quite interesting. BTW, does anyone know what is the biggest windturbine manufactured, working and available? Are there turbines >6MW anywhere?

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Bigger is better?
written by Marc, August 17, 2008

I dislike the "bigger is better" mentality of this article. In many parts of continental Europe wind turbines are set up in small groups rather than massive farms. What is better:
a)building the "world's biggest" wind farm in the middle of nowhere and then the "world's most powerful and resource intensive high voltage transmission grid" in order to get the electricity to users OR
b) speading the same number of turbines out to where the electricity is needed.

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Don't overlook US Military at Guantanamo
written by EmmettB, August 17, 2008

Before the wind turbines, Guantanamo Bay spent $31,000 a day -- $24 a minute -- on diesel fuel to run generators around the clock to produce electricity. Since the turbines went into operation, they have been providing between 5 and 12 percent of the power the base uses.

See:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/05/guantanamo_bay.php
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=31070

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Principal
written by dkross, August 17, 2008

As new wind projects advance throughout the world, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts continues to block construction of the Cape Wind Energy Project proposed for Horseshoe Shoal in Nantucket Sound. High electricity rates, strained electricity supplies for residents of Cape Code, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard have not overcome the opposition of the Kennedy Family and other wealthy residents. Poor Massachusetts, once a leader now a laggard in the quest for independence.

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Project Manager
written by Ezra, August 18, 2008

I think it is great that companies and business are trying to out big each other. It is competition like this that will have a serious dent on the energy problem.

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good news for wind
written by guy chapman, August 18, 2008

these are all good projects

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toboa energy
written by guy chapman, August 18, 2008

we are trying to do our part

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Average power
written by val, August 27, 2008

I cant reply to a specific comment but:
@ Tom - for modern wind turbines the average anual power generated is 25-28% of nominal capacity; monthly averages range from 12-14% in july to 45-48% in december (for northern hemisphere).
@ Arne - Enercon and Mitshubishi have a joint program to create a 7MW turbine; the latest in this colaboration is the Enercon E126 model (prototype) fielded in Cusshaven, Germany. The largest production model is the E112 @ 6 MWe.
I'd apreciate somebody copy-pasting the responses to their apropriate comments - i can't find a way to respond to them though I see other posts marked as 'RE:'

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1.21 GW!?
written by E. L. Brown, August 30, 2008

I'm sorry, but the only power source capable of generating 1.21 GW of electricity is a bolt of lightning.

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