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Texas became a leader in wind power generation in 2001, when more than one billion dollars were invested by utilities and other companies to build some of the world's largest wind power farms. A dozen wind farms now operate in 10 counties in West Texas and the Panhandle.
Wind power is a great asset to Texas, bringing new industry (jobs), supplying millions of new tax dollars to west Texas schools and counties and displacing harmful emissions from fossil fuel power generation. Due to the high volatility and price of natural gas fuel for power plants, wind power has become very cost competitive.
One issue that currently hinders further growth in wind development is the current limitation of transmission lines to transfer power from wind-rich west Texas to the heavily populated areas where power is needed. Construction of wind farms occurs much faster than the interval of time needed to build new transmission infrastructure. Texas needs a long-term transmission plan to enable desirable wind development to proceed.
Texas' supply of wind is vast (500 times greater than what is currently installed). The costs are stable and predictable. Wind power is a homegrown resource that is good for Texas. It is a great natural resource that makes clean electricity with no emissions and using no water. Its presence in west Texas has brought new prosperity to regions where oil was once king but has been largely depleted.
For more on what the Texas wind boom has done for Texas, click here.
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