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]
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]
- ^ "Utah Wind Energy" (PDF). US Wind Energy State Facts. American Wind Energy Association. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
- ^ "Renewable Energy in Utah" (PDF). Acore. October 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ^ "State Renewable Portfolio Standards and Goals". National Association of State Legislatures. 19 February 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
- ^ Wind Power in Utah May 2013
- ^ "Utah/Wind Resources/Full Version". openei.org. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ^ "WINDExchange: Utah Wind Resource Map and Potential Wind Capacity". energy.gov. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ^ Blue Sky (Rocky Mountain Power)
- ^ "KZMU - 100% Wind Powered". Retrieved 18 February 2008.
- ^ Kinkos Uses Blue Sky (PR News)
- ^ PacifiCorp Wind Energy
- ^ SL Tribune