West Virginia is a coal-dominant state, so it does not invest much in renewable energy sources.
Nonetheless, wind power is one of the country’s fastest-growing industries. According to American Wind Energy Association (now American Clean Power Association), wind energy will power 20% of US electricity by 2030.
West Virginia commissioned its newest wind farm–the 110 MW Black Rock Wind Project, in February 2022, supported by Governor Jim Justice. Wind production in the state slightly exceeds hydropower at 2.48%.
How much MW do windmills in West Virginia produce?
The windmills in West Virginia have an installed capacity of 852 MW in total. Four wind farms in the state exceed 100 MW in installed capacity.
How many wind turbines are in West Virginia?
There are 419 windmills in WV.
Who owns wind farms in West Virginia?
Clearway Energy Group is the largest investor in West Virginia’s renewable energy sector. The company owns the newly minted Black Rock Wind Farm and the largest in the state, NedPower Mount Storm Wind Farm.
Beech Ridge and Southern Power own Beech Ridge Wind Farm.
Enbridge and the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board own the fourth largest wind farm, New Creek Wind Farm.
The fifth largest wind farm, Laurel Mountain, is owned by AES.
How many wind farms are in West Virginia?
The state has seven wind farms.
What is the largest wind farm in West Virginia?
The largest wind farm in the state, NedPower Mount Storm Phases 1 and 2, has 132 2 MW wind turbines. The project’s two phases have a combined installed capacity of 264 MW.
What is the electricity generation mix in West Virginia?
Coal remains the dominant source of electricity in West Virginia. The coal industry is far ahead of other electricity sources producing 90.9% of electricity generated in the state.
Even with further expansion, the state’s wind energy generation is limited. The current capacity of the wind at 856 MW only covers 2.48% of the electricity production in the state.
Where is the Black Rock wind farm?
Black Rock Wind Farm is a 22-turbine farm spanning West Virginia’s Grant and Mineral Counties.
Aside from supporting local jobs, the project aims to drive significant state spending. The project is Clearway Energy Group’s third wind farm in West Virginia as the largest operator of wind farms in the state.
Clearway Energy Group also owns the largest wind farm in the state–NedPower Mount Storm Wind Project.
Black Rock Wind Farm reached commercial operations in February 2022.
AEP Energy Partners and Toyota North America will buy the electricity from the 110 MW wind farm under a long-term power purchase agreement. American Electric Power owns AEP Energy Partners.
What are the technical schools for the wind industry in WV?
Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College offers an Associate’s degree and certificate for its wind program.
West Virginia University’s College of Law tucks wind-related learning into its broader Renewable Energy and Other Alternative Fuels course.
Renewable Portfolio Standard
The renewable energy profile page of the West Virginia department states that West Virginia net metering is limited in the state. The government also repealed the renewable portfolio standard in 2015.