Keys to Achieving 20 Percent Wind by 2030

Abstract

To meet growing demand for electricity through the year 2030, the
U.S. will need to ramp up its generating capacity quickly and signifi-
cantly while accounting for national security concerns, environmental
impacts, and fuel price pressures. Renewables will be critical for meet-
ing this demand, and wind power is ready today to meet this challenge
with affordable, reliable energy.
A collaborative government-industry technical report released
recently by the U.S. Department of Energy explores a model scenario
by which wind provides 20 percent of the nation’s electricity by 2030
(www.20percentwind.org). The report finds that such a goal is feasible
and evaluates the costs, benefits, and challenges related to its achieve-
ment, which would require 300 gigawatts of wind capacity to be in-
stalled by 2030.
U.S. wind resources provide far more energy than needed to
achieve this milestone, and current wind technology is able to attain
what DOE calls an “ambitious, but achievable, goal.” However, several
near-term challenges must be overcome for the nation to achieve the
milestone of 20 percent wind by 2030. Utilizing wind to satisfy 20 per-
cent of U.S. capacity needs would improve our energy security; offset
demand for fossil fuels, helping to ease fuel price increases; generate
well-paying jobs, a new income source for rural landowners and tax
revenues for local communities; reduce electric sector CO 2 emissions
and water use; and put a substantial amount of affordable, reliable,
renewable power on the grid