Wind Power In North Dakota
Some of the wind power states in the US are doing a good job in meeting the potential as far as favourable wind and the power that is created from it. North Dakota is one of the windy states of the US that, while it produces a lot of energy from the wind, has a long way to go to meet its potential.
As of August 2009 there are enough wind turbines operating in North Dakota to generate over 700MW of power and there are plans in development to add another 6000MW. This is according to the state Public Service commission. Even if all proposed developments are brought to completion the 7000MW of power is below the potential wind power creation of the state.
According to the American Wind Energy Association North Dakota has the potential to produce 138,400MW of power, more than any other state.
With these figures in mind the state hopes that it can lure more wind turbine manufacturers and other wind power equipment makers to the state. There are tax and job training incentives in place to make the location in North Dakota even more attractive and the fact that there is so much development in planning should ensure that there will be plenty of room for expansion of business.
The North Dakota Commerce Department is hoping that they can recruit companies that make wind turbine nacelles. This is a more specialized field than the wind turbine blade and tower manufacturing that is becoming more commonplace. More and more European companies are setting up wind power plants around the US.
As the industry becomes more established with the manufacture of components made locally, costs should start to fall over the next few years.

