Wind power supplied 5.5% of electricity in the US in 2016, up from 4.7% in 2015, according to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).
The figures from the EIA – the statistical arm of the US Department of Energy – were cited by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), which noted Iowa, South Dakota, Kansas, Oklahoma and North Dakota all sourced more than 20% of electricity from wind last year.
Wind turbines are now operating in 40 US states and generated a record 226 million megawatt hours of electricity in 2016, the EIA data showed.
AWEA said this is about four times the amount of solar production and close to what hydro power generates in the US.
In Iowa, wind’s share of total electricity increased to 36.6% in 2016 from 30% in 2015, while in Oklahoma the share grew to 25.1% from 18.4% over the same period.
South Dakota became the second state in the country to source over 30% of its electricity from wind energy, with the figure rising to 21.5% in North Dakota.
AWEA chief executive Tom Kiernan said: “Wind is now cheaply and reliably supplying more than 20% of the electricity in five states and is a testament to American leadership and innovation.
“For these states, and across America, wind is welcome because it means jobs, investment, and a better tomorrow for rural communities.”
A further 14 states produced more than 10% of electricity from wind last year and 22 states over 5%, according to the EIA data.
Image: Morgue File
Wind supply hits 5.5% in US
Five states sourced over 20% of power from sector in 2016 says DoE data
By EBS