Texas leads the nation in wind power generation

 

May 11 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Bill Hanna Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas

Texas's role as the nation's leader in wind power is continuing unabated, with industry officials predicting that nearly two-thirds of all new U.S. construction this year will take place in the Lone Star State.

The new turbines are going up primarily where wind farms are in place around Abilene, Sweetwater, Big Spring and in the Panhandle.

Texas, with 2,749 megawatts of wind energy capacity, surpassed California for the top spot last year, according to the American Wind Energy Association. One megawatt, or a million watts of electricity, is enough energy for about 700 homes.

The Texas Legislature has mandated that at least 5,880 megawatts of energy in the state come from renewable energy by 2009. Five thousand additional megawatts are to be added by 2015.

"Texas is a big energy state and landowners, particularly in West Texas, welcome wind development with open arms," said Susan Williams Sloan, an Austin-based spokeswoman for the wind association.

"People are comfortable with big energy in Texas. We have good policies in Texas that help get projects done and get them online as quickly as possible."

Wind farms rarely produce power at peak capacity. During the summer, wind farms generate at less than 3 percent of capacity, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.

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Bill Hanna, 817-390-7698

billhanna@star-telegram.com