More than ever before, countries all over the globe are looking for innovative ways to become more sustainable. In order to rely less on dangerous fossil fuels that harm the Earth, there is one solution that has become a recent trend among countries. One of those solutions is the use of wind energy, which prevents the use of coal and nuclear power to generate electricity. Windmill farms are growing at a rapid pace, with more and more countries building enormous farms to generate clean and renewable energy. There are already windmill farms that span over hundreds of thousands of acres and power large parts of countries. While these aren’t the picturesque sightseeing spots, they are important to highlight, and are cool modern marvels to check out if you’re traveling near them.

5. Roscoe Wind Farm, Texas, U.S.
At the time of its completion in 2009, Roscoe Wind Farm was the biggest wind mill farm ever built. With just under 700 wind turbines, the farm stretches around 100,000 acres in Western Texas. The vast wind farm generates about 735 megawatts of power. The Roscoe Wind Farm is unique in that parts of the farm are individually owned by about 400-land owners. This results in an additional economic boost to the local community.

4. Muppandal, India
With wind farms providing a clean energy source for countries, they also have a positive economic effect on them as well. The Muppandal wind farm in India is a great example of how wind farms can provide jobs for the local people. As part of India’s $2 billion clean energy program, the wind farm has brought money to the local village, resulting in a boost to the once desolate area. The wind farm itself is vast, producing a total of 3,000 megawatts.

3. Jaisalmer Wind Park, India
India’s largest wind farm, Jaisalmer, was constructed in 12 stages over the span of ten years. With its completion in 2012, the farm produces a total of 1,064 megawatts. Unlike many others, Jaisalmer is not a single wind farm. Rather, numerous smaller farms work together to comprise India’s largest windmill farm. This wind farm generates enough power to impact over 70 villages in the surrounding area.

© Ashwin Kumar

2. Alta Wind Energy Center, California, U.S.
Located in Southern California, Alta Wind Energy Center is the biggest windmill farm in America. Built on 3,200 acres of land, the wind farm was completed in 2014 after 11 stages of construction. This energy center is located near the first ever windmill facility which was built in the 1970s. The 1,547 megawatts that the farm generates is enough electricity to power almost half a million homes in California.

© German Borrillo

1. Gansu Wind Farm, China
The Gansu Wind Farm is the biggest wind farm in the world and is still in the process of expanding. With its current capacity at 6,000 megawatts, the Chinese Government has spent about $18 billion in hopes to reach a remarkable capacity of 20,000 megawatts by the year 2020. Gansu Wind Farm is part of China’s effort to increase the amount of energy used by alternative and renewable sources, thus limiting the use of C02. With the focus on sustainability, the Gansu Wind Farm could possibly be the first of many gigantic wind farms to come.

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Cover photo © Chuck Coker