Current Landscape of Wind in the United States

The landscape of American energy is undergoing a dramatic shift; at the forefront of this transformation is wind power. Technological advancements in turbine design and materials, coupled with a significant decrease in production costs, have made wind increasingly competitive with traditional fossil fuels. Currently, wind energy provides roughly 10 percent of the U.S. electricity supply, a figure that's been steadily increasing thanks to robust federal and state policies like renewable portfolio standards and tax incentives. The Inflation Reduction Act has further accelerated this growth through substantial investments in clean energy infrastructure and technologies.

In this discussion, we will delve into the diverse applications of wind energy, including expansive onshore wind farms, the growing potential of offshore wind, and emerging distributed wind projects. We will explore the regional deployment of wind resources across the United States, examining the key datasets that illuminate its transformative role in energy production. 

History of wind energy development in the United States

The U.S. wind energy sector has achieved significant milestones, beginning with large-scale wind farms in the 1980s and the Production Tax Credit in 1992, which incentivized wind energy production. The 2008 goal of 20 percent wind energy by 2030 and the 2011 National Offshore Wind Strategy accelerated advancements in onshore and offshore technologies.

Recent achievements include surpassing 100 Gigawatts (GW) of onshore capacity in 2019, and 15 GW of offshore capacity by 2025. The first operational offshore wind farm, Block Island, launched in 2016, while floating wind projects and hydrogen-powered turbine prototypes in 2023 and 2024 highlight ongoing innovation and growth in the sector.

Types and applications of wind energy

Distributed 

Distributed wind energy consists of small to medium turbines (under 20 MW) that power homes, schools, farms, and businesses. Residential or community systems typically range from 1–10 kW, and are often integrated with solar and storage. By reducing transmission losses and enhancing energy independence, distributed wind is ideal for remote or off-grid locations.

(Source: Landgate)

There is a significant prominence of smaller, distributed wind energy projects with lower MW capacities per farm. This highlights the widespread adoption of wind power on a smaller scale, effectively catering to localized energy needs.

Land-based utility-scale wind energy

Utility-scale wind dominates U.S. renewables, using turbines with rotors over 75 meters, and towers taller than the Statue of Liberty. These projects, feeding major grids, benefit from economies of scale but face permitting and environmental challenges. Typically owned and operated by utilities, the electricity generated is fed into major grids such as the Eastern, Western, or Texas Interconnections.

Land-based utility-scale wind farm detailing wind turbine locations (Source: Landgate)

Onshore vs Offshore 

Onshore wind relies on 2–4 MW land-based turbines, offering lower costs and easier maintenance. It thrives in wind-rich regions like the Midwest, Great Plains, and Texas, benefiting from proximity to existing grid infrastructure and reducing transmission costs. Offshore wind uses larger (8+ MW) turbines in fixed-bottom (shallow) or floating (deep) configurations to harness strong ocean winds. The U.S. is expanding offshore capacity, particularly on the East Coast with projects like Vineyard Wind 1 (806 MW), despite higher costs and regulatory hurdles.

Offshore wind farms off the east coast – including notable projects such as Vineyard 1 (Source: Landgate)

Geographic landscape of renewable wind energy in the US

(Source: Landgate)

The distribution of wind farms in the U.S. highlights Texas and other Midwestern states as the leaders in wind energy. Texas dominates both in the number of wind farms and cumulative capacity, with over 350 wind farms and more than 60,000 MW of installed capacity. States like Iowa, Oklahoma, and Kansas also play significant roles, benefiting from consistent wind resources and large open landscapes.

The U.S. wind energy pipeline is strong, with 77 percent of projects active, highlighting a history of successful development. Meanwhile, planned, queued, and stalled projects present significant opportunities for further expansion, supporting renewable growth and rising clean energy demand.

Additional data for wind developers

FAA obstructions

The FAA provides robust data for registered obstructions, which tracks obstructions in airspace (tall structures like wind turbines and towers). FAA data helps assess potential aviation hazards and ensures compliance with regulations, which is crucial to the development and siting of wind energy projects. This includes:

·       Turbine count – The number of wind turbines reported in the state.

·       Met tower count – The number of meteorological towers, which are used to measure wind speed and direction.

·       Temporary feature count – The number of temporary structures related to wind energy.

Utility-scale wind farms in TX. Multiple data layers available, including statuses for wind farms, FAA obstruction data, outlines of exact parcels covered, wind speeds, and exclusion zones (Source: Landgate)

Wind ordinances

Wind ordinances provide clear regulations on the placement, operation, and environmental impact of wind projects, ensuring compliance with local requirements and minimizing community and ecological conflicts — critical for wind developers to streamline permitting and maintain public support.

(Source: Landgate)

Future of wind

Wind energy in the U.S. is on a clear upward trajectory, driven by technological advances, supportive policies, and the growing need for clean power. No longer just part of the solution, wind is becoming a cornerstone of the nation's electricity supply.

Future advancements in turbine technology, grid modernization, and energy storage will enhance efficiency and reliability. Hybrid projects, combining wind with solar, will further stabilize power generation. Responsible development — prioritizing sustainability, minimizing environmental impact, and engaging communities — will be key to ensuring widespread benefits. For renewable energy professionals, this is a time of immense opportunity. Comprehensive land data and analysis are crucial for identifying high-potential sites and making informed, data-driven decisions in wind project development.

Austin Gigi is Senior Analyst, Energy Products, and Shaan-Londhe is Senior Analyst, Capital Products at LandGate, which provides data solutions for site selection, origination, development, financing, and market analysis of US renewable energy and infrastructure projects.

LandGate | www.landgate.com