Wind: Kansas as Energy Exporter

I had planned (and promised) a serious look at the potential for manufacturers and investors in the Sunflower State but have to wear a few different hats today. More on Monday, in the meantime here's a quick look at one piece of the puzzle.
From the Topeka Capital-Journal:

Wind farms could have state exporting energy

Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson said Tuesday wind production in Kansas can expand to create an export market for notoriously stiff breezes cruising across the state.

"We know there is just a certain amount of wind we can integrate into our electrical system in Kansas," Parkinson said. "How do we keep the momentum going? We're probably talking about export."

Wind generation capacity is spiking in Kansas through construction of large commercial farms. The state's installed capacity was 365 megawatts at the end of 2007. That total is expected to reach 1,015 megawatts at the end of 2008.

If the projection holds, Kansas would become the seventh state to build enough wind turbines to post an energy capacity greater than 1,000 megawatts....MORE