Green energy for New Mexico (2013, construction, tax)

[manekeniko]

I'm wondering why NM doesn't have a vigorous green energy economy. When I passed through Texas and Oklahoma years ago, I saw enormous wind farms.

NM has open space, cheap land, abundant sunshine and wind storms. A perfect setting to "farm" natural power.

Apologies if green energy is already happening and I'm wrong. If so, what's the story?

[NMHacker]

Originally Posted by manekeniko

I'm wondering why NM doesn't have a vigorous green energy economy. When I passed through Texas and Oklahoma years ago, I saw enormous wind farms.

NM has open space, cheap land, abundant sunshine and wind storms. A perfect setting to "farm" natural power.

Apologies if green energy is already happening and I'm wrong. If so, what's the story?

There are several wind farms around the state. Most are not along very well traveled routes. Solar Energy is moving along very nicely.

From the US Energy Information Administration:

In 2013, New Mexico ranked fifth in the nation in utility-scale electricity generation from solar energy.

Also. The US Clean Energy Leadership Index ranked NM in the top 10 for clean energy development.

Clean Energy Development: Where Does Your State Rank? | EcoWatch


There is more, though I don't have time to research it out for you right now. Google is your friend.

[prosopis]

I drive past several wind farms regularly, and one solar array. They are all in rural areas, so if you hang around SF or ABQ, you'll miss them.

Construction was going hot and heavy for a while, then a lot got put on hold when the economy became uncertain. Profitability of green energy sources depend hugely on tax breaks and similar subsidies, so when tax revenue is in decline I can imagine plans get put on hold.

[funkymonkey]

Texas & Oklahoma have a lot more wind than New Mexico.

WINDExchange: Utility-Scale Land-Based 80-Meter Wind Maps

We also need more development of transmission lines to get renewable energy to market if we want to fully tap our potential.