Wind power in Utah

Wind power in Utah is in the early stages of development. As of 2016 the state had 391 MW of wind generation capacity, responsible for 2.6% of in-state electricity generation.[1] Wind thus plays a small role in the state's renewable portfolio standard goals.[2][3]

2003 map of wind potential in Utah by United States Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Waterpump in southeastern Utah, 1972

A 2009 Utah Renewable Energy Zone Taskforce estimated that the state could produce over 9,000 megawatts of wind power. As about 80% of Utah’s population is concentrated along the foot of the Wasatch Front mountain range, reliable and predictable canyon winds offer opportunities for wind power generation and efficient wind energy distribution without long-distance transmission.[4][5][6]

Utah Power, now PacifiCorp, launched the Blue Sky Program in 2000 to encourage users to purchase imported wind power, with the option of purchasing 100-kilowatt hour (kWh) "blocks" of renewable energy for a monthly fee through their electricity bills.[7] In 2003, radio station KZMU in southeast Utah began operating solely on wind power.[8] Kinkos also participates.[9] PacifiCorp, the major provider in Utah, imports much of its renewable energy into the state and does not intend to build instate facilities before at least 2024.[10][11]

Wind farms
Main article: List of power stations in Utah § Wind

The first utility-scale wind farm was built at Spanish Fork in 2008.[12][13]

The 306 MW Milford Wind Corridor Project has been the largest wind farm in Utah since its completion in 2011.

Statistics
Utah Wind Generation Capacity by Year
Megawatts of Installed Generating Capacity[14]

See also

References
  1. "Utah Wind Energy" (PDF). US Wind Energy State Facts. American Wind Energy Association. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  2. "Renewable Energy in Utah" (PDF). Acore. October 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  3. "State Renewable Portfolio Standards and Goals". National Association of State Legislatures. 19 February 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  4. Wind Power in Utah May 2013
  5. "Utah/Wind Resources/Full Version". openei.org. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  6. "WINDExchange: Utah Wind Resource Map and Potential Wind Capacity". energy.gov. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  7. Blue Sky (Rocky Mountain Power)
  8. "KZMU - 100% Wind Powered". Retrieved 18 February 2008.
  9. Kinkos Uses Blue Sky (PR News)
  10. PacifiCorp Wind Energy
  11. SL Tribune
  12. Harvesting Utah's Winds (Resilience.org, 13 May 2011)
  13. "Spanish Fork will celebrate wind power - KSL.com". ksl.com. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  14. WINDExchange: U.S. Installed and Potential Wind Power Capacity and Generation
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