Wind Energy Resources

Final Missouri Wind Maps:

Wind Speed Maps

The final wind speed maps show the predicted mean wind speed in Missouri at heights of 30 meters, 50 meters, 70 meters, and 100 meters, respectively, above the effective ground level. As of 2005, typical tower height for the current generation of large utility-scale wind turbines of 750 KW (kilowatt) to 2 MW (megawatt) rated capacity is 70 meters. A typical height for small turbines of up to 50 KW rated capacity is 30 meters, which is consistent with on-farm or residential use.

Wind Speed 30 Meters
High Res 3.9 MB PDF
Low Res 717 KB PDF
Wind Speed 50 Meters
High Res 2.8 MB PDF
Low Res 783 KB PDF
Wind Speed 70 Meters
High Res 3.2 MB PDF
Low Res 726 KB PDF
Wind Speed 100 Meters
High Res 3.1 MB PDF
Low Res 733 KB PDF

Wind Power Density Maps

The 50-meter wind power density map shows the predicted mean wind power density (amount of wind energy) at 50-meter height in the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL) standard wind resource classes.The 100-meter wind power density map shows the predicted mean wind power density at 100-meter height. When compared to the 50-meter wind density map, this indicates a substantial increase in wind energy as the distance from the ground increases.

Wind Power Density 50 Meters
High Res 2.5 MB PDF
Low Res 814 KB PDF
Wind Power Density 100 Meters
High Res 2.4 MB PDF
Low Res 725 KB PDF

The mean speed and power describe different aspects of the wind resource, and both can be useful in different ways. The mean speed is the easiest for most people to relate to. Some experts regard the mean wind power, which depends on the air density and the cube of the wind speed, as a more accurate indicator of the wind resource when assessing wind project sites.

Generally speaking, utility-scale wind power projects using large turbines that service the electrical grid require an average wind speed of at least 7 meters per second (15.7 miles per hour) or average power of at least 400 Watts per square meter (NREL class 4). Small-scale turbines such as those used by farmers and homeowners are often used in locations with lower average annual wind speeds.

Persons interested in evaluating the financial aspects of an investment in a wind energy project are encouraged to become familiar with one or more of the free wind energy financial calculators that can be found on the internet at:

These maps are final work products of AWS Truewind Solutions prepared under contract with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, with financial support from the U.S. Department of Energy's Wind Powering America.

Validation of the map was conducted by the National Renewable Energy Lab and consulting meteorologists. After reviewing the validation results, NREL recommended moderate adjustments in speed and power to one region of the state. The speed was increased by 5 percent in eastern Missouri in the counties of St. Charles and St. Louis, and the power was increased by about 30 percent. For your convenience we have kept the INTERIM wind maps online.

Note that while it is believed that these maps represent an accurate overall picture of Missouri's wind energy resource, estimates at any location should be confirmed by additional wind measurements taken at the specific site.

To be notified of developments related to wind energy in Missouri, please enter your e-mail address into the Energy Center's Broadcast e-mail list. See: /energy/energy-e-mail.htm.

Portions of the preceding description were adapted from the final report submitted by AWS Truewind as part of their preparation of these maps. For more information see AWS Truewind's Final Report PDF.

30 meter average annual wind speed - County level maps

Wind Map Thumbnail

All of the following counties are predicted to have some areas with an average-annual wind speed (measured at 30 meters, 100 feet above ground level) of 6.0 meters per second (13.4 miles per hour) or greater.

Click below to view a county level version of the 30-meter wind speed map for the listed counties. State and county roads are displayed in red.

Note: * Indicates counties that are predicted to have some areas with average annual wind speeds between 6.5 and 7.0 meters per second (14.5 and 15.7 miles per hour) at 30 meters above ground level.

Counties not included in the list below are predicted to have very little area, or no area, with an average-annual wind speed of 6.0 meters per second (13.4 miles per hour) or greater.

Andrew PDF Atchison* PDF Barry PDF
Barton PDF Bates PDF Buchanan PDF
Caldwell PDF Cass PDF Clay PDF
Clinton PDF Dade PDF Daviess PDF
DeKalb PDF Gentry PDF Grundy PDF
Harrison PDF Henry PDF Holt* PDF
Iron PDF Jackson PDF Lafayette PDF
Lawrence PDF Mercer PDF Newton PDF
Nodaway* PDF Pettis PDF Platte PDF
Putnam PDF Ray PDF Reynolds PDF
St. Francois PDF Saline PDF Vernon PDF
Worth PDF    

Missouri Wind Energy Resources CD-ROM

  1. An interactive version of the wind maps, that includes ArcReader 8.3 Geographic Information System map viewing software is available on CD-ROM. According to the company that created ArcReader 8.3, the software will work on a PC-Intel system with:
    • Windows NT 4.0 with service pack 6a,
    • Windows 2000 or
    • Windows XP operating systems
    • It will not work on Windows ME, 98 or earlier.
    Due to the relatively large amount of data used in the size of the program files, it is also required that the system have at least a 450 MHz processor and a minimum of 128 MB of RAM. When the program and the wind map data files are installed, the resulting files will take up 1,700 MB of disk space on the system's hard drive. Please note that DNR staff will not be available to provide technical assistance in the installation and use of the software.
  2. The CD-ROM will also include a variety of wind energy publications, presentations, and links to internet websites.

You can request a free copy of this CD-ROM by filling out our online form. It is expected that the initial mailing of the CD-ROM will be during September 2005.