And you thought wind energy was carbon-free?

Here’s a thought to chew on: wind energy has a carbon footprint! Surprised? Don’t agree?

The experience of wind energy from the US where wind is generating more and more energy is proof. Consider that there must be a backup source to wind power at all times to ensure uninterrupted electricity. The more wind power put on line, the more backup power is needed. Often that backup energy comes from coal or natural gas.

In some places like the Pacific Northwest, hydroelectricity stands proxy. Here wind power is just offsetting another renewable energy source. But such instances are few.

In that region, more than 2200 megawatts of wind energy is connected to the various plants and flowing through the Northwest at times, which is enough electricity to light Seattle and Portland for one hour.

But as wind power continues to exceed expectations in the amount of electricity it is creating, the Northwest is running out of hydro reserves in order to back this power up. Which means the more power you generate the more fossil backed fuel power is required to match during backup!