Consumption of electricity from wind rose by 28% between 2008 and 2009, according to the federal government's annual energy report.

Wind energy consumption rose from 546 trillion to 697 trillion BTU (160 to 204 TWh) between the two years, according to the Energy Information Administration’s annual energy review. Wind’s share of total electric consumption rose from 1.4% to 1.8%. During that time overall renewable consumption rose 8%, from 3,798 trillion to 4,113 trillion BTU (1,113 to 1,205 TWh). Renewables’ share of total electricity rose from 9.4% to 10.7%.

But total electricity consumption fell by 5% during the period, from 40,147 trillion to 38,304 trillion BTU (11,766 to 11,226 TWh). The increase in electricity from wind reflects a soaring US wind capacity in 2009. In that year, capacity increased 40% to 35GW.  But 2010 installations look to be far less. An EIA report in June said that wind ranked fourth behind gas, coal and petroleum for the amount of capacity added in the first quarter of 2010.

By Talmar Wilner – WindPower Monthly