World’s Largest Onshore Wind Farms Paving Future of Renewable Energy
To free the planet from gripping shackles of fossil fuel dependency, renewable energy sources have come forth with various alternatives, of which wind energy is becoming the frontrunner
In an age where humankind is trying to free itself from the dependency on fossil fuels, renewable energy sources have become more crucial than ever. When it comes to green energy sources, we often focus on solar energy and forget about wind energy. A wind farm or wind park is a group of wind turbines installed in the same location to generate electricity from wind.
Varying in size and location, wind farms are building the future of renewable energy. They can be either onshore or offshore: onshore wind farms are large installations of wind turbines located on land, and offshore wind farms are installed in bodies of water.
Image: General Electric
In this article, we are going to discuss the largest onshore wind farms in the world, which are helping the globe diminish its dependency on harmful fossil fuels. Many of these large operational onshore farms are located in China, India, and the United States. To know more, read along.
Gansu Wind Farm, China – 8 GW
The Jiuquan Wind Power Base, China, has a peak capacity to generate an impressive 20 GW, with its 7,000 turbines. It is the world’s largest onshore wind farm. The Gansu Wind Farm Project is located in desert areas near the city of Jiuquan in two places of Guazhou County and near Yumen City, which has an abundance of wind.
The farm uses 40 percent of the power that it generates, which is at 8 GW. Due to weak demand and its geographical location in the isolated Gopi desert, it is unable to transfer power to areas with dense populations.
The State Grid Corporation of China is currently seeking a solution to enable the farm to use more of the power. A 750 KW high-voltage direct current transmission line is being developed to accomplish the same.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Muppandal Wind Farm, India – 1.5 GW
Located in the Kanyakumari District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the Muppandal Wind Farm has the ability to generate 1,500 MW of clean energy. The farm has a total of 3,000 wind turbines.
Built by the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency, the barren area of land is a prime location with high-pressure winds, making it the largest producer of clean energy from wind in the country. The area receives strong winds nine months a year from the west.
The wind farms within the project have different installed capacities. It is significantly helping the country lower its carbon emissions, which is recognized as the 3rd highest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world.
Image: Twitter @tntourismoffcl
Alta Wind Energy Center, US – 1.5 GW
With a power generation capacity of 1,547 MW, Alta Wind Energy Center is located across 3,200 acres in the Californian desert. It is the largest wind farm in the United States and has been developed near Tehachapi Pass Wind Farm.
Electricity supplier Southern California Edison has entered a 25-year power purchase agreement for the power produced as part of the power purchase agreements for up to 1.5 GW or over. It has 490 wind turbines, contributing to the country’s renewable energy target.
The project is likely to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 5.2 million metric tons. It is planned to expand the capacity to 3,000 MW.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Jaisalmer Wind Park, India – 1.06 GW
The second-largest onshore wind farm in India, Jaisalmer Wind Park generates 1064 MW of clean energy. The park consists of several wind farms, including Amarsagar, Badabaug, Tenjuva, and Soda Moda among others.
The park was constructed in over 12 phases and took a decade to complete. The plant has been operational since 2001 under the ownership of Suzlon Energy. The wind park was constructed to accommodate different clients’ needs, including public and private companies, independent power producers, and other utility providers.
Jaisalmer Wind Park is significantly contributing to India’s green target to meet its 175 GW of renewable energy. The country currently generates 75 GW.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Shepherds Flat Wind Farm, US – 845 MW
With a capacity of 845 MW of clean energy generation, the Shepherds Flat Wind Farm is located in Oregon, near Arlington, in both Gilliam and Morrow counties. The farm employs General Electric GE2.5XL 2.5 MW wind turbines and supplies electricity to Southern California Edison.
One of the largest onshore wind farms in the world, the farm covers an area of over 30 square miles. It uses a total of 338 turbines and has the ability to provide energy to 240,000 homes.
It began operations in September 2012. Once at full capacity, the farm will also prevent one million metric tons of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere, annually.
Image: Steve Wilson/Wikimedia Commons
Roscoe Wind Farm, US – 781 MW
Located in Roscoe, Texas, it was once the largest wind farm in the world. Sprawled over an area of 100,000 acres, the Roscoe Wind Farm has the ability to generate 718.5 MW of energy. With 634 turbines, it can power over 250,000 homes and help reduce carbon emissions by 375,000 tons, annually.
The plant was constructed over four phases and the work was carried out by E.On Climate and Renewables. It is helping the state of Texas diminish its dependency on energy from fossil fuels.
Image: Matthew T Rader
Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center, US – 735 MW
Consisting of 291 GE 1.5 MW wind turbines and 139 Siemens 2.3 MW of capacity, Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center is spread over nearly 47,000 acres of land in Taylor and Nolan counties of Texas. When it began operations in 2006, it was the largest wind farm in the world.
The energy plant is owned by NextEra Energy Resources but all construction work, engineering and procurement were undertaken by Blattner Energy. It uses 421 turbines to produce energy to fulfill the demands of 180,000 households.
Image: Metaefficient
Capricorn Ridge Wind Farm, US – 662 MW
Capricorn Ridge Wind Farm is located in Sterling and Coke counties of Texas. Owned by NextEra Energy Resources, the plant was established in 2007. It was constructed over two phases with 407 wind turbines to generate energy.
Capricorn Ridge farm has the capacity to generate 662 MW of energy, enough to power 220,000 homes. It is helping reduce over 950,000 tons of emissions annually.
Image: Carbon Fund
