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The answer to this question depends on a number of factors, but as of July 2020, there are approximately 3,000 wind turbines in operation in Kansas.
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Introduction
Wind turbines are a common sight in Kansas. The state is home to over 6,000 wind turbines, which produce enough electricity to power more than 600,000 homes. Kansas is also one of the leading states in the country for wind energy production, and it is on track to meet its goal of generating 20 percent of its electricity from wind by 2020.
The History of Wind Turbines in Kansas
The first wind turbine in Kansas was installed in 2001. Today, there are more than 6,000 turbines operating in the state, making it one of the leading states for wind power generation.
Kansas has a long history of wind power usage. In the early 1900s, windmills were used to pump water and generate electricity on farms. By the 1970s, farmers were using wind turbines to pump water and generate electricity for their homes and businesses.
The first utility-scale wind farm in Kansas was built in 2001. Today, there are more than 50 utility-scale wind farms in the state. These farms have a total capacity of nearly 4,000 megawatts (MW), enough to power more than 1 million homes.
Kansas is also home to several manufacturing facilities that produce components for wind turbines. These facilities employ more than 2,000 people and have a combined economic impact of nearly $3 billion per year.
The Number of Wind Turbines in Kansas
The number of wind turbines in Kansas has increased dramatically in recent years. In 2019, there were over 5,000 turbines in the state, compared to just over 1,000 in 2010. The vast majority of these turbines are located in the southwestern part of the state, where the wind resource is strongest.
The Future of Wind Turbines in Kansas
In the future, more wind turbines are likely to be built in Kansas. The state has an estimated potential to generate about 47,000 megawatts of electricity from wind power, which is enough to power more than 9 million homes. However, only about 1% of this potential has been developed so far.
Wind turbine development in Kansas has been limited by a number of factors, including the state’s low population density, lack of transmission infrastructure, and insufficient wind resources in some parts of the state. However, these challenges are gradually being addressed, and the state’s wind energy industry is expected to grow in the coming years.
