Wind turbines in eastern OregonOregon electricity production by type
TheU.S. state ofOregon has large wind energy resources. Many projects have been completed, most of them in ruralEastern Oregon and near theColumbia River Gorge. Wind power accounted for 12.1% of the electricity generated in Oregon in 2016.[1]
Laws passed by theOregon Legislative Assembly in 1999 and 2007 have aimed to encourage both small and large wind projects. Oregon passed anet metering law in 1999 that helped encourage installation ofsmall wind power systems.[2] As of 2008, a handful of Oregonians have installed small-scale wind-power systems to reduce theircarbon footprint.[3]
Under Senate Bill 838, wind, solar, geothermal and other types of renewable power must account for 25 percent of an electric utility's retail sales by 2025. Intermediate requirements set the standard at 5 percent by 2011, climbing gradually until 2025.[4]
In 2016,Oregon's RPS requirement target was raised to 50%, as two companies must supply 50% of Oregon's power as renewable by 2040.[5] The USEnergy Information Administration expects this to increase windpower in Oregon, as olderhydropower is exported to California and not eligible for the RPS.[6]
Vestas, the largest wind turbine manufacturer in the world as of 2009, has its North American headquarters inPortland.[7][8]Iberdrola Renovables, one of the larger wind farm operators, also bases their American offices in Portland.
Estimates from theNational Renewable Energy Laboratory showed that Oregon has potential to install over 27,000 megawatts of onshore wind power.[9] The offshore wind potential is estimated at 225,000 MW, and would be capable of generating 962,723 million kWh.[10]
Installed wind power capacity in Oregon saw large growth from 2007 to 2012. Oregon ranks among the top ten states with the most wind power installed. Climbing from 1 percent in the early 2000s (decade), wind power accounted for 12.4 percent of total electricity generated in Oregon during 2013.[11][12]
In 2009, 691 MW of wind-powered capacity was added in Oregon, the fourth biggest increase in the U.S. that year.[13]
In 2009GE Wind Energy was awarded a $1.48 billion contract to build theShepherds Flat Wind Farm.[21] The 845-megawatt project uses over 300 turbines and spans across 30 square miles (78 km2) ofGilliam andMorrow Counties in north-central Oregon.[22] When it was completed in September 2012, it became the largest wind farm in Oregon, and the second largest in the world, although many larger ones are planned. It was completed in 2012 to take advantage of the 2.2 cent/kWhProduction Tax Credit.[23][24]
About four gigawatts of new wind energy development in Eastern Oregon and Washington has not been built due to the interference it could cause with aviation radar. The radar in Fossil was upgraded in June 2015 to stop "radar clutter" caused by nearby wind farms.[25]
^George Plaven (June 11, 2015)."Radar upgrade in Fossil to lessen conflict with proposed wind farms".East Oregonian. Retrieved2015-06-14.[FAA] says they've developed a radar upgrade ... that will minimize conflict with proposed wind farms. ... the outdated radar was holding back nearly 4,000 megawatts of new wind energy development in Eastern Oregon and Washington.
