Wind Power Jobs at a Wind Farm in Your Backyard

With the rapid growth of wind turbine installationsresidents. Second to Big Sky is Top Crop II with
across the United States, demand for newlyalmost 200 Megawatts of General Electric wind
trained wind power employees has soared toturbines set to produce for Horizon and EDPR.
record heights. As such, those who search forStretching across Grundy, Livingston, and LaSalle
wind power jobs quickly learn that wind farmCounties, Top Crop II will create many wind
locations are closer to home than most wouldpower jobs in the area that will further support
think. To illustrate this, the following article willlocal economies through the employment of both
detail several states where wind farm companiesskilled and unskilled labor pools. Wind turbine
actively hire for positions that range from generalcommissioners and wind technicians will be the top
construction level work to high paying technicalbeneficiaries of the development and those who
jobs like that of the wind technician. Pleasewish to seek employment within these
continue reading below to learn more about windoccupations should have at minimum a certificate
farm job opportunities in seven of the top keyin wind technology from one of the full time
states.monthly wind tech training programs.
Colorado - Wind power jobs in Colorado areOklahoma - Wind power jobs in Oklahoma are
typically found at wind farms that areleading the way when it comes to renewable
concentrated within the North-Eastern region ofenergy employment opportunities within the state.
the state. Having developed a production capacityProviding a total capacity of 1,130 Megawatts,
of over 1,245 Megawatts, the region is truly onOklahoma is currently ranked 11th in the nation
its way to becoming the center of wind powerfor total installed production potential. As
production in the western plains. Often calledinvestment continues to grow within the region,
"Colorado's Outback," the wide open prairies offerthe "Sooner State" has the potential to create
the perfect balance of beautiful country scenerymany new jobs with projects in Woodward and
and steady work for anyone that is privileged toDewey Counties leading the way. In Woodward, a
be employed within the area. Wanting to takedevelopment named Keenan II is set to support
advantage of the available wind resource, the Kit76 turbines that will be capable of producing over
Carson Project in Burlington, Colorado is set to150 Megawatts when fully operational. Likewise,
provide the most employment opportunities in theDewey County will be home to the Taloga wind
area by installing 51 Megawatts of General Electricfarm which will consist of 130 Megawatts of
wind turbines for purchase by Duke Energy.Mitsubishi wind turbines.
Sources within Duke Energy indicate that theMinnesota - Wind power jobs in Minnesota can be
development will create skilled and high payingfound at several locations that are spread across
wind technician jobs for trained turbinethe "Land of 10,000 Lakes." As Minnesota is
professionals. For more information about thecurrently ranked 7th in terms of wind turbine
requirements for entry level wind technician jobs,capacity, the Bent Tree project set to increase
do a Google search for "monthly wind technicianMinnesota's total installed capacity by over 260
training."Megawatts. As such, the county of Freeborn is
Texas - Wind power jobs in Texas have beendue to become the major renewable energy
abundant since 2005 and as we enter the nextsource in the southern region of the state directly
decade the "Lone Star State" will continue to setbenefiting consumers who draw their electricity
the national standard for installed wind powerfrom Wisconsin Power & Light. Those who are
capacity. Ranked number one in the U.S., Texasinterested in participating in the employment
enjoys the benefits of hosting a diverse group ofopportunities that the project will create should do
employers who are all highly motivated toa Google search for monthly wind technician
continue capturing some of the best windtraining to develop the skills necessary to enter
resources in North America. This being so, athe field and get a wind farm job.
majority of new Texan wind power jobs will beMichigan - Although ranked 14th in the country
centered in West Texas and South Texas asregarding wind generating capacity, wind power
wind farms in these regions complete separatejobs in Michigan are sure to experience growth
phases of development. Taking a closer look atthroughout the coming decade. Of the projects
the southern region of the state, some of thethat are planned, the one that is the key for
top employment opportunities include the Cedrobuilding future momentum in the state is Stoney
Hill and Penescal II developments. Cedro Hill, whichCorners II. Under the development of Heritage
is located in Webb County, is set to have aSustainable Energy, Stoney Corners is set to
capacity of 150 Megawatts with the installation ofinstall over 20 Megawatts with wind turbines
G.E. Energy wind turbines under Edison Missionmanufactured by Repower and Northern Power
Group and DKRW. In addition to Cedro Hill, theSystems. The future looks bright for Michigan
Penescal II development is located in Kenedy andwhen it comes to wind power growth as there
Webb Counties with plans calling for the installationare many more proposals for wind farms that
of over 200 Megawatts of Mitsubishi wind turbineshave yet to receive mainstream attention.
under the management of Iberdrola Renewables.California - Supporting a capacity of over 2,700
Sources in each of these companies confirm thatMegawatts of wind energy, California is currently
these projects will create many new jobs in windthird in the nation when ranking total installed
turbine services with high paying positions availableproduction capability. Of the new wind farms that
for wind technicians. To take advantage of theare planned in the state of California, the two set
wind power jobs detailed above, applicants shouldto create the most wind power jobs are located
have a resume that includes knowledge of windwithin Shasta and Kern Counties which are found
turbine systems and this can be gained byin Northern and Central California respectively. In
enrolling in one of the few monthly wind techShasta County, a project by the name of
training courses that are available at selectHatchet Ridge is receiving great acclaim as the
locations.site is contracted to deliver over 100 Megawatts
Illinois - With over 430 Megawatts currently underof production capability through the installation of
construction, wind power jobs in Illinois are44 Siemens wind turbines. Likewise, Kern County
booming. Ranked 6th in the nation for total turbineis another epicenter of growth in the state of
capacity, Illinois wind farms are primarily underCalifornia with the development named Alta I
development in the northern region of the state.which is expected to consist of 150 Megawatts of
Of the two largest project expansions in theG.E. Energy wind turbines as purchased by
north, the Big Sky Wind Farm is the largestTerra-Gen Power. Positions that are forecast to
installing over 230 Megawatts of Suzlon turbinesbe in high demand with the construction of these
that will produce wind energy for the Edisontwo projects include the skilled and well paying
Mission Group. Those familiar with the projectoccupations known as the wind technician and the
note that Big Sky spans across Bureau and Leewind turbine commissioner. To meet requirements
counties in order to optimize use of the windfor these jobs, those who are interested should
resource and remain out of sight for localseek out a monthly wind technician training course.