Potential for wind-generated power
seen in county
 
February 21, 2002
By Christopher J. Ehlers
The Wood River Journal
 
Newly-refined preliminary scientific data shows Custer County has the greatest commercial wind power development potential in the state, according to Idaho Energy Division officials. Blaine County comes in 10 out of 44 Idaho counties.
 
Custer County has an estimated 174,500 acres with winds classified as Class 4 to Class 7 with a potential electricity production of 3,530 megawatts at peak production. Lemhi County ranks second with 100,800 acres of Class 4-7 winds with a potential for 2,040 megawatts, while Cassia County is third with 72,200 acres and a potential for 1,460 megawatts. Rounding out the top 10 list is Blaine County with 27,700 acres and the potential to produce 560 megawatts.
 
According to Dick Larsen with the Idaho Department of Water Resources, wind generated power has come a long way in Idaho.
 
"This time last year, there was zero wind power development," said Larsen. "Now, there are six sites being developed."
 
Larsen said one of particular note is Notch Butte Farm, a 1000 acre project being developed by the Danish-based company enXco. Still in its initial phases, when complete, the site on the Jerome/Lincoln County line calls for one turbine (three-bladed propeller) on every 40 acres.
 
No word, yet, if any projects are planned for Blaine County. Officials say 36 of Idaho's 44 counties have a total of 900,000 acres with Class 4 to Class 7 rated winds, meaning they have a potential for commercial wind development. Altogether, preliminary figures show Idaho has commercial wind power potential totaling 18,000 megawatts of electricity. That's enough electricity to power about 4 million typical Idaho homes.
 
Class 4 rated winds are the general threshold for large-scale wind development. Class 4 winds are at least 15.7 miles per hour at a height of some 150 feet.
 
Commercial wind power development potential was also ranked by legislative district. District 26, which includes Owyhee and Elmore counties, ranks first with 297,000 acres with a potential of 6,020 megawatts. Second is District 8, which includes Adams, Boise, Gem, Idaho and Valley counties with 112,700 acres and a potential of 2,280 megawatts. Among Idaho utilities, Idaho Power Company's service area includes the largest amount of land with commercial wind potential. There are 160,000 acres of Class 4-7 winds with a combined potential of 3,250 megawatts of electricity, according to state energy officials.
 
Gem, Madison and Ada counties rank as numbers 34-36, respectively, on the list of counties with Class 4-7 winds. Gem County has 200 acres of windy land, Madison County has 80 acres and Ada County is dead last on the list with just some 40 acres of potential commercial wind development.
 
Among utilities, Lost River Electric Cooperative comes in second with 112,700 acres with a potential for 2,280 megawatts and Salmon River Electric Cooperative is third with 85,700 acres with a potential for 1,730 megawatts.
 
A complete list of all 36 counties, the legislative district ranking and the top 10 utilities is available on the IDWR website at www.idwr.state.id.us/energy/Wind.