Massachusetts yet to fulfill its wind energy potential

The state of Massachusetts is one of the nation's solar energy leaders, but when it comes to wind energy development there are still plenty of things that need to improve. In 2012, the state produced 85,000 megawatt hours of wind energy, which puts it at the number 34 in the installed wind power capacity, far from its totally available wind energy potential.

Ben Hellerstein, a field associate of Environment Massachusetts, recently stated that Massachusetts could increase its total wind power capacity by more than tenfold in the next five years by not just installing new onshore wind farms but also by building the nation’s first offshore wind farm, Cape Wind. Cape Wind, the nation's first offshore wind farm, if and when it becomes operational should have a capacity of 450 MW, enough to power more than 400,000 homes.

The majority of currently installed wind energy projects in the state are located on the South Shore though there are other areas with good wind power potential that could become homes to new wind farms.

According to the latest report state's currently installed wind capacity has helped offset 51,414 carbon dioxide emissions in 2012 which is equivalent to taking 10,711 cars off the road.

More wind energy does not only help reduce harmful carbon emissions that contribute to global warming and climate change but it also reduces pollution and saves water in comparison to currently dominant coal fired power plants.

The state's renewable energy portfolio standard obliges that 22% of the state's electricity must come from renewable energy sources by 2020, and the state has also set a goal of installing 2,000 MW of wind power capacity by 2020.