In the early 2000s, T. Boone Pickens was one of the biggest boosters of wind energy. He even had a plan to build the world’s largest wind farm in the Texas Panhandle. But by 2013, Pickens had completely abandoned his wind energy plans. So what happened?
There are a few reasons why Pickens may have soured on wind energy. For one, the cost of natural gas fell sharply in the early 2010s, making it a much cheaper option for power generation. Additionally, the U.S. government cut back on subsidies for renewable energy projects, making them less financially attractive.
But perhaps the biggest reason Pickens gave up on wind energy is that he simply couldn’t make it work economically. In a 2014 interview, he said, “I can’t make money in wind.”
Pickens isn’t the only one who has had trouble making money in the wind energy business. The industry has been plagued by cost overruns, delays, and cancellations. And despite all the hype, wind energy still only supplies a tiny fraction of the world’s power needs.
So while Pickens may have been ahead of his time in promoting wind energy, it’s clear that the technology still has a long way to go before it can compete with traditional sources of energy.
Other related questions:
Q: How many wind turbines are abandoned?
A: There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the number of abandoned wind turbines varies depending on the location and specific circumstances. However, a report by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimated that there were nearly 4,000 abandoned wind turbines in the United States as of 2016.
Q: Who owns the wind turbines in Wyoming?
A: There is no one definitive answer to this question, as there are many wind turbines in Wyoming and they may be owned by different entities. However, some of the largest wind farms in the state are owned by Rocky Mountain Power and PacifiCorp.
Q: How many turbines does Blue Creek wind farm have?
A: The Blue Creek Wind Farm has a total of 80 turbines.
Q: What did T Boone Pickens do?
A: T Boone Pickens is an American businessman and entrepreneur. He is the chairman and CEO of BP Capital Management, a hedge fund company. He is also the founder of the Pickens Plan, an energy plan that calls for increased use of natural gas and renewable energy sources.