of wind power
 
There are several major benefits to wind power.  One of the most important is that wind power is the least expensive of all other forms of alternative energy.  Wind turbines generate electricity at around 5 cents per kWh (Kilowatt Hour), which is comparable to the new coal and/or oil burning power plants.  The costs are projected to decline even more as technology improves, and this is very important because most of the cost with wind power is in manufacturing.  Once the wind turbines are in place there is little cost to maintain and wind power is free.

Another tremendous benefit of wind power is that it is a sustainable source of energy and a clean source of energy.  Wind power generation produces zero carbon dioxide emissions, which is important with our concern over climate change.  Wind energy is also a renewable energy, meaning it does not deplete our natural resources like coal or petroleum based products.

Unfortunately, the potential in wind power remains largely untapped as less than one percent of the world's energy is derived from wind power.  However, there are positive indicators as the use of wind power use has increased by more than 400 percent since 2000.  Denmark leads the world in wind energy generating 20 percent of its energy from wind power.  The European Union is looking to increase the use of wind power generation along with other forms of alternative energy to 22 percent by 2010.  Currently the United States is third when it comes to using wind power at 9,149 MW (Mega Watts).

Source (http://greenlivingideas.com/wind-energy/the-benefits-of-wind-power.html)

Global Warming

Wind Power Reduces Global Warming. Global climate change is an increasing concern of the scientific community and governments around the world, and it is a reality we must begin to address. Carbon dioxide released from fossil fuel combustion is one of the primary heat trapping gases that contribute to global warming. Wind energy produces no byproducts that contribute to global warming, and the power from single utility-scale wind turbine can prevent the emission of 5,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere each year. Wind energy is one of the most useful tools we have to decrease the global warming gases we release into the atmosphere every day.

Source (http://www.edf.org/documents/2882_WindFactsheetNC.pdf)