The Energy Commission tracks wind production in its annual Wind Performance Reports . Return to Wind Introduction Page. Wind Energy Production Wind power plants are turbines which use the energy in the motion of the wind to make mechanical energy, which is then converted to electrical energy. Small and intermediate turbines make up the bulk of the older installed turbine base, but new turbines installed in the late 1990s are generally 600 kW and larger. Utility-scale wind farms are generally located in areas with average annual wind speeds of at least 13 miles per hour.
Wind power is more available during certain seasons because climatic conditions affect wind speed.
In California, wind speeds are highest in the hot summer months, and approximately three-fourths of all annual wind power output is produced during the spring and summer. Most such systems range in size from one to 25 kW. Distributed wind systems are applicable to industry, water districts, rural residences, agricultural use, and a wide variety of isolated power uses located in good wind resource areas. Wind power for utility-scale applications is considered to be commercially available under most conditions. The technology is considered to be mature, and there are several system suppliers. Wind power for distributed applications is considered to be commercially available under limited conditions.