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Salazar: Eastern wind could replace coal for power

Bob | 2:56 p.m. April 6, 2009

Each large wind tubine generates about 1 megawatts of power accounting for times when the wind does not blow so hard and other issues. Each large coal or nuclear power plant generates about 1000 megawatts. Thus 1 million megawatts of power would take about 1 million large wind turbines versus about 1000 large coal or nuclear power plants. However, the US needs only about 1/3 this much electrical power and thus not so many wind turbines and other sources.
However, I personally believe that we must use various sources of electrical energy, including coal, for the near future but increase usage of nuclear, geothermal, wind, solar and appropriate biomass over time.

P.S. I am a retired Ph.D. Applied Physicist

Thinkin' Man | 3:49 p.m. April 6, 2009

The Secretary's statistics may be technically accurate, but they are not grounded in reality. Cost, ocean traffic, local seabed conditions, and other factors would significantly reduce the number of turbines that could realistically be installed.

Wind energy is a great idea... until the wind stops blowing. You STILL have to have something big enough to run the country when the wind stops.

I'd much rather see 300 nuclear power plants built than 3 million wind turbines.

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3 photos

Associated Press

Offshore wind turbines at North Hoyle in Wales, western Britain, are shown. Windmills off the East Coast could generate enough electricity to replace most, if not all, the coal-fired power plants in the United States, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said Monday.

Gallery (3 photos)