Wind power electricity is generated on wind farms scattered across the pastoral lands of the United States. In a time when increasing dependence on foreign oil is wreaking havoc on politics as usual, wind power is gaining more attention for its promise of energy independence.

The world’s largest wind power farm is located in the United States, in the State of Texas. The Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center is the largest in the world with over 420 wind turbines. Experts maintain that the Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center can produce enough electricity to power over 200,000 homes annually. Once the energy is produced, federal, state and local governments are more than happy to buy to produced energy. Wind power electricity is not the only solution to the energy problem. Because wind is an intermittent power source it needs to be combined with other power sources like solar and even gas or coal.

Wind power electricity is already a major component of energy plans worldwide. Australia currently has 42 wind farms with the largest, Lake Bonney Wind Farm producing over 230 MW of energy. Other countries with wind farms under construction include India, the Philippines, the EU, Brazil, and Morocco.

The major difference with wind power and gas or coal based power is in the funding and operation of the initiatives. Most wind farms are privately owned by entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. While the wind farm owners receive tax breaks for producing clean energy, the money generally has to come from a private source for start up and maintenance costs.

A sizeable amount of the world’s energy can come from wind power electricity. Energy production has been focuses on oil for obvious economical and political purposes. With the world in a recession combining wind energy with other alternative sources is going to save money, the planet and create jobs.

Alternative energy enthusiasts and activists are investing in small wind turbines to fuel their homes, schools, and businesses. As more and more people explore alternative energy solutions such as wind power electricity, look for favorable government loans, tax rebates and credits to benefit those willing to participating in alternative energy programs.

The power of wind energy has to be viewed on a micro and macro scale. It is easy to assume that a few massive wind farms would generate all of our power electricity. However, that is not at all where the success of wind farms lie. Many smaller organizations are installing wind turbines and generating enough energy to cover their energy needs and selling the excess energy back to the power companies.