Wind Energy

Map showing the wind energy potential in Wyoming.
Wind Energy Potential on BLM lands with minimal constraints.
Map of Wyoming showing wind energy projects and proposals and meteorological test sites.

For over a decade, wind energy has been the fastest growing energy technology worldwide, achieving an annual growth rate of over 30 percent. In the United States, the current total installed wind energy capacity is approximately 19,500 megawatts (mw), of which approximately 330mw is located on BLM-administered public lands.

Much of Wyoming has fair to excellent wind energy potential, with some areas having outstanding to superb potential as identified by the Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory.  Currently, most of the interest has been focused on southern Wyoming. 


Meteorological Site Testing Projects

Meteorological site testing is used to determine whether a site's wind energy potential meets the criteria for full field development.  These "met site" or "met tower" rights-of-way are granted for an initial period of three years to allow for a temporary wind tower to be erected on the site.

  • Met site photos 
  • Met Tower Projects

If the data gathered at "met sites" indicates that the wind resource is sufficient, a full-field development proposal is submitted to BLM for analysis.

Wind Energy Projects

BLM Wyoming has processed, and is currently processing, a large number of "met site" applications and a number of full-field development applications.  The following links provide more information about the proposed projects.