Report Gives Wind Power Big Boost
BOSTON (AP) -- A new study says wind has the potential to supply nearly a quarter of New England's power within the decade.
But massive grid upgrades would be needed to handle that much more wind energy.
The study by GE Energy Applications & Systems Engineering was conducted for the regional grid manager, ISO New England. It says wind could supply up to 24 percent of the region's total annual electricity needs by 2020.
But the ISO's president, Gordon van Welie, said $19 billion to $25 billion for new transmission lines would be needed. Also, not nearly enough wind farms have even been proposed yet.
The ISO's director of operations, John Norden, says such an increase is a "lofty goal," but the ISO must prepare to meet it in case policymakers push quickly in that direction.
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