As the effects of climate change intensify, the need for green energy is bigger than ever before. Luckily, there are encouraging levels of investment in renewable power sources across the world. The global wind power market, both onshore and offshore technology, is estimated to reach $20,3 billion by 2025.
According to the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA), the global wind power capacity reached 597 GW at the end of 2018. This means that wind turbines today cover close to 6% of the global electricity demand. Although 2018 was characterized by a decline in the European market, we saw great growth in markets such as China, India, Brazil, and other Asian markets.
Below, we have listed some of the biggest wind farms in the world.
Jiuquan Wind Power Base, China
The Jiuquan Wind Power Base also called the Gansu Wind Farm Project, is the world’s biggest wind farm. The farm holds a capacity of generating nearly 7,900 MW, produced from a total of 7000 wind turbines arranged in the Gopi desert. The power potential of the Jiuquan Wind Power Base is enough to power a small country and the capacity is expected to increase to 20,000 MW by 2020.
Although the installation holds the title of the biggest in the world, more than 60% of the farm’s capacity is unused every year due to low demand.
Jaisalmer Wind Park, India
With a capacity of 1,064 MW, Jaisalmer Wind Park is the biggest wind farm in India. The farm is developed by Suzlon Energy, who constructed the group of farms for a variety of customers; from private and public sector companies to independent power producers and power utility providers.
The Jaisalmer Wind Park uses a wide range of turbines and is located in the district of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. This allows the park to utilise the wind from the Arabian Sea.
Roscoe Wind Farm, US
Once the biggest onshore farm in the world, the Roscoe Wind Farm has a capacity of 781,5 MW. The farm is situated 45 miles south-west of Abilene in Texas, US and covers 100.000 acres of land, primarily used for cotton farming. The farm can power about 250,000 homes.
The Roscoe Wind Farm was built in four phases between 2008 and 2009. The construction work was carried out by the renowned Germany-based company E.ON Climate and Renewables.
Muppandal Wind Farm, India
The Muppandal Wind Farm is the biggest onshore wind farm in India. The installation consists of a group of wind farms, situated in the Kanyakumari district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
About 3000 wind turbines produce 1500 MW of clean energy, which is about 20% of the total wind energy in India. The location was picked due to the geographical access to seasonal monsoon winds, which provides the farm with strong winds for nine months a year from the west. Indian Windpower reports that the gross wind potential is 3,050 MW.
Horse Hollow Wind Energy Centre, US
Another one on the list that is situated in the state of Texas, US. In fact, Texas produces more clean energy from wind than 25 states produce from all power source combined. The state of Texas has exceeded its wind power capacity by 80% since 2010, which makes this wind power state a force to be reckoned with.
The Horse Hollow Wind Energy Centre covers an area of 47,000 acres of land in Taylor and Nolan County and has a capacity of 735 MW. This makes the farm capable of providing about 180,000 homes with clean energy.
Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm, UK
The Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm is located in the Irish Sea 9 miles west of Walney Island off the coast of Cumbria. The group of wind farms is operated by the Ørsted, power company based in Denmark. With the newest extension, the farm has a capacity of 659 MW. This makes this wind farm the biggest offshore wind farm in the world.
Unlike the rest of the farms on this list, the Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm is situated offshore. Offshore wind power can harvest higher wind speeds combined with onshore wind power, making the electricity generation higher per amount of capacity installed.