N.M. wind power grows at 5th-fastest rate
Report shows state among leaders in nation as more wind farms crop up
Staci Matlock | The New Mexican
Posted: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - 10/21/09
Posted: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - 10/21/09
Comments 
0
0
Facebook
Twitter
Print storyA new report ranked New Mexico as the state with the fifth-fastest growth rate in wind-energy capacity from June to September.
The 100-megawatt High Lonesome wind farm, with 40 turbines, in Torrance County was completed in July by the Edison Mission Group. New Mexico can now produce up to 597 megawatts of wind energy but is still a long way from catching up to the 8,797 megawatts of wind-energy capacity now operating in Texas.
The report, released Tuesday by the American Wind Energy Association, said New Mexico ranks 12th in the nation for potential wind-energy capacity, based on wind studies, and second in the nation for solar-energy capacity.
The third quarter showed a higher growth in the nation's operating wind-energy capacity than in the prior six months. The U.S. added 5,800 megawatts of wind-energy capacity, although the production of wind turbines is lagging behind last year's levels, according to the report.
About 9 million homes can now be powered by the wind turbines spinning in the U.S., which are capable of producing 31,000 megawatts of electricity.
The New Mexico State Land Office said companies have signed lease options for wind farms on 116,000 acres of state trust land but haven't started construction. Companies are applying for leases on 401,000 acres of state trust land for wind-energy projects.
Michael McDiarmid, an engineer and head of the wind-power program for New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources, said wind power is growing well considering the state's size. "We expect next year there will be another large wind project added, about 90 megawatts, in Union County," McDiarmid said. "There's a number of projects in the planning stages. We expect to see future growth until we hit the limits of transmission capacity."
All states growing renewable energy projects face the problem of an electric grid that is nearing its carrying capacity. New transmission lines can take more than a decade to plan, permit and build.
McDiarmid said he would like to see the state attract more wind turbine manufacturing plants. A couple of large solar photovoltaic manufacturing plants are operating near Albuquerque, but nothing for wind components.
"I'm not sure why we're not attracting more wind manufacturers," McDiarmid said.
Contact Staci Matlock at 986-3055 or smatlock@sfnewmexican.com.
The 100-megawatt High Lonesome wind farm, with 40 turbines, in Torrance County was completed in July by the Edison Mission Group. New Mexico can now produce up to 597 megawatts of wind energy but is still a long way from catching up to the 8,797 megawatts of wind-energy capacity now operating in Texas.
The report, released Tuesday by the American Wind Energy Association, said New Mexico ranks 12th in the nation for potential wind-energy capacity, based on wind studies, and second in the nation for solar-energy capacity.
The third quarter showed a higher growth in the nation's operating wind-energy capacity than in the prior six months. The U.S. added 5,800 megawatts of wind-energy capacity, although the production of wind turbines is lagging behind last year's levels, according to the report.
About 9 million homes can now be powered by the wind turbines spinning in the U.S., which are capable of producing 31,000 megawatts of electricity.
The New Mexico State Land Office said companies have signed lease options for wind farms on 116,000 acres of state trust land but haven't started construction. Companies are applying for leases on 401,000 acres of state trust land for wind-energy projects.
Michael McDiarmid, an engineer and head of the wind-power program for New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources, said wind power is growing well considering the state's size. "We expect next year there will be another large wind project added, about 90 megawatts, in Union County," McDiarmid said. "There's a number of projects in the planning stages. We expect to see future growth until we hit the limits of transmission capacity."
All states growing renewable energy projects face the problem of an electric grid that is nearing its carrying capacity. New transmission lines can take more than a decade to plan, permit and build.
McDiarmid said he would like to see the state attract more wind turbine manufacturing plants. A couple of large solar photovoltaic manufacturing plants are operating near Albuquerque, but nothing for wind components.
"I'm not sure why we're not attracting more wind manufacturers," McDiarmid said.
Contact Staci Matlock at 986-3055 or smatlock@sfnewmexican.com.
advertisement
- JB Yelsky commented on
- Ambro A commented on
- P Orlando Baca commented on
- Truett Collins commented on
- Ambro A commented on
- Joe McNabb commented on
- Ambro A commented on
- Doreen Saiz-Adler commented on
You must login to make comments.
Register here for a free username and passwordClick on the link below to register for a free account. This is a new system and previous accounts are not transferred to this system. You'll be asked for your name and e-mail address. A confirmation e-mail with a password will be sent to you at the address you provide. Once you've logged into the system, you'll be able to view and contribute comments. Please be respectful to your fellow users and post under your own name. Send questions to webeditor@sfnewmexican.com
Comments (0)
What do you think? Add your two cents to the conversation by contributing your view on the news. Please, be respectful to the community and your fellow users and use your real name when posting. Inappropriate postings will be removed and your privileges to comment further might be suspended. If you'd prefer to submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in The New Mexican's print edition, visit our submissions page.