North Dakota ranks third in the nation in the amount of electric power generated by wind.
North Dakota came in behind South Dakota and Iowa for the highest percentage of power generated by wind turbines in 2011, according to the renewable energy supporter Earth Policy Institute. Based on U.S. Energy Information Administration data, wind energy accounts for 15 percent of North Dakota’s electricity, up from about 12 percent in 2010.
South Dakota had the largest jump — from 14 percent in 2010 to 22 percent in 2011. Iowa wind farms generated 19 percent of the state’s electricity, up from 16 percent in 2010.
There are 781 turbines in service in North Dakota, according to North Dakota Public Service Commission records. The wind industry generates about 1,400 megawatts of power in the state.
Wind energy has continued to grow in the state; however, the pace of growth has actually slackened slightly in the last year or two, said PSC Chairman Tony Clark.
Clark said one reason for the slower growth is that a large percentage of power generated in North Dakota goes out of state: “Two-thirds or more is power that’s used elsewhere,” he said.
Power usage in other markets has shrunk because the economy has shrunk, Clark said. There are 20 additional wind farms in various stages of completion and waiting for power buyers; these would generate another 6,275.4 megawatts.
Allete Inc. is constructing about 103 turbines in Oliver and Morton Counties, according to PSC records. Permits have been issued for six other sites, which together would add over 1,000 megawatts of production. Letters of intent have been filed for 10 sites, which together would add over 4,800 megawatts. One site in Burleigh County has requested jurisdictional determination.
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