Wind power in Texas

File:Desert-Sky-Wind-Farm.jpg off I-10]]

File:Lubbock County Texas wind turbines 2011.jpg, Lubbock County, Texas.]]

File:Vestasturbine.jpg V47-660kW wind turbine at American Wind Power Center in Lubbock, Texas]]

File:Wind turbine blade transport I-35.jpg near Elm Mott, an increasingly common sight in Texas]]

Wind power has a long history in Texas. West Texas A&M University began wind energy research in 1970 and led to the formation of the Alternative Energy Institute (AEI) in 1977. AEI has been a major information resource about wind energy for Texas.{{cite web|url=http://www.windenergy.org/|title=Alternative Energy Institute|access-date=2007-08-22|archive-date=2010-10-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101018143401/http://www.windenergy.org/|url-status=live}} The first 80-meter tower was erected at Big Spring, Texas in 1999."Turbine timeline: The History of AWEA and the U.S. Wind Industry: 1990s." American Wind Energy Association. Retrieved 24 November 2015. [http://www.awea.org/About/content.aspx?ItemNumber=774 AWEA website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125100613/http://www.awea.org/About/content.aspx?ItemNumber=774 |date=2015-11-25 }}

Several forces are driving the growth of wind power in Texas: favorable wind resources and land availability, State targets for renewable energy, cost efficiency of development and operation of wind farms, and a suitable electric transmission grid. The broad scope and geographical extent of wind farms in Texas is considerable: wind resource areas lie in the Texas Panhandle, along the Gulf coast south of Galveston, and in the mountain passes and ridge tops of the Trans-Pecos in the western tip of Texas. In 2012 over 10,700 wind turbines were operating in Texas to generate electricity, but 80,000 windmills were pumping water, indicating the amount of growth potential remaining for wind power generation.{{cite web|url=http://www.infinitepower.org/newfact/96-818-No8.pdf|title=Roping the Breezes|website=infinitepower.org|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=13 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813012609/http://www.infinitepower.org/newfact/96-818-No8.pdf|url-status=live}}

Wind power is a for-profit enterprise between land owners and wind farm operators. Texas farmers can lease their land to wind developers for either a set rental per turbine or for a small percentage of gross annual revenue from the project.{{Cite web

|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/23/business/23wind.html

|title=Move Over, Oil, There's Money in Texas Wind

|date=2008-02-23

|first=Clifford

|last=Krauss

|work=The New York Times

|access-date=2008-11-05

|archive-date=2009-04-01

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401210616/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/23/business/23wind.html

|url-status=live

}} This offers farmers a fresh revenue stream without impacting traditional farming and grazing practices.{{r|USAT 2019/10/18}} Although leasing arrangements vary widely, the U. S. Government Accountability Office reported in 2004 that a farmer who leases land to a wind project developer can generally obtain royalties of $3,000 to $5,000 per turbine per year in lease payments. These figures are rising as larger wind turbines are being produced and installed.State Energy Conservation Office. [http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/re_wind-cashcrop.htm The New Cash Crop] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613190518/http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/re_wind-cashcrop.htm |date=2007-06-13 }}

Wind power offers a reliability benefit in that its generation (though not its transmission) is highly decentralized. Sabotage and industrial accidents can be potential threats to the large, centrally located, power plants that provide most of Texas’ electricity. Should one of these plants be damaged, repairs could take more than a year, possibly creating power shortages on a scale that Texans have never experienced before. Coal trains and gas pipelines are also vulnerable to disruption. However, wind power plants are quickly installed and repaired. The modular structure of a wind farm also means that if one turbine is damaged, the overall output of the plant is not significantly affected.SEED Coalition and Public Citizen’s Texas office (2002). [http://www.renewabletexas.org/downloads/tx_energy_powerhouse.pdf Renewable Resources: The New Texas Energy Powerhouse] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613060323/http://www.renewabletexas.org/downloads/tx_energy_powerhouse.pdf |date=2010-06-13 }} p. 11.

Wind is a highly variable resource. With proper understanding and planning, it can be incorporated into an electric utility's generation mix, although it clearly does not provide the sort of on-demand availability that gas power stations provide.

Many areas in Texas have wind conditions allowing for development of wind power generation. The number of commercially attractive sites has expanded as wind turbine technology has improved and development costs continue to drop.{{cite web |url=http://www.infinitepower.org/reswind.htm |title=Texas Wind Energy Resources |access-date=2007-08-22 |archive-date=2007-07-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070722112301/http://www.infinitepower.org/reswind.htm |url-status=live }} (→ Cost of electricity by source#United States) Particularly in southern Texas, the difference between land and off-shore air temperatures creates convection currents that generate significant winds during the middle of the day when electricity usage is typically at its peak level.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-06-20/texas-is-too-windy-and-sunny-for-old-energy-companies-to-make-money|title=Texas Is Too Windy and Sunny for Old Energy Companies to Make Money|date=2017-06-20|work=Bloomberg.com|access-date=2017-06-23|archive-date=2017-06-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621174727/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-06-20/texas-is-too-windy-and-sunny-for-old-energy-companies-to-make-money|url-status=live}} Although these winds are less than in West Texas, they occur more predictably, more in correlation with consumption, and closer to consumers. Several wind farms have been developed at the Texas coast, to a combined 3,000 MW.{{cite news |url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/Steady-breezes-at-the-right-time-boost-Gulf-Coast-11363533.php |title=Sea change: Gulf Coast wind farms become vital to Texas energy mix |first=Ryan Maye |last=Handy |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |date=2017-07-27 |access-date=2017-07-31 |archive-date=2017-08-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801005540/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/Steady-breezes-at-the-right-time-boost-Gulf-Coast-11363533.php |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://news.duke-energy.com/releases/releases-20160803 |title=Duke Energy Renewables completes the final Los Vientos wind project in Texas | Duke Energy | News Center |website=News.duke-energy.com |date=2016-08-03 |access-date=2017-02-28 |archive-date=2017-05-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505125743/https://news.duke-energy.com/releases/releases-20160803 |url-status=live }}

Starting in 2008, the wind power development boom in Texas outstripped the capacity of the transmission systems in place,{{Cite web |last=Bove |first=Tristan |date=March 22, 2022 |title=Texas has enough wind and solar power to phase out coal entirely. There's just one huge catch |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/texas-enough-wind-solar-power-214434540.html |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=finance.yahoo.com |language=en-US}} and predicted shortages in transmission capability could have dampened the growth of the industry. Until 2008, the growth in wind power "piggybacked" on existing lines, but had almost depleted spare capacity.USA Today: [https://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20080226/1b_wind26.art.htm Lines lacking to transmit wind energy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618155907/http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20080226/1b_wind26.art.htm |date=2010-06-18 }}.

As a result, in winter the west Texas grid often had such a local surplus of power, that the price would fall below zero.{{cite web | url= http://knowledgeproblem.com/2009/01/28/updated-negative-power-prices-in-ercot-2008/ | title= UPDATED: Negative power prices in the West region of ERCOT in 2008 | last= Giberson | first= Michael | date= 28 January 2009 | publisher= Knowledge Problem | access-date= 2009-03-01 | archive-date= 2009-02-21 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090221171938/http://knowledgeproblem.com/2009/01/28/updated-negative-power-prices-in-ercot-2008/ | url-status= live }}{{cite web | url= http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/texas-wind-farms-paying-people-to-take-power-5347/ | title= Texas Wind Farms Paying People to Take Power | last= Wang | first= Ucilia | date= 10 December 2008 | publisher= Greentech Media | access-date= 2012-11-23 | archive-date= 2013-07-03 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130703004420/http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/texas-wind-farms-paying-people-to-take-power-5347 | url-status= live }}

According to Michael Goggin, electric industry analyst at AWEA, "Prices fell below US −$30/MWh (megawatt-hour) on 63% of days during the first half of 2008, compared to 10% for the same period in 2007 and 5% in 2006."{{cite web | url= http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2008/09/curtailment-negative-prices-symptomatic-of-inadequate-transmission-53616 | title= Curtailment, Negative Prices Symptomatic of Inadequate Transmission | last= Goggin | first= Michael | date= 19 September 2008 | work= Renewable Energy World | access-date= 2009-03-01 | archive-date= 2011-08-16 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110816104533/http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2008/09/curtailment-negative-prices-symptomatic-of-inadequate-transmission-53616 | url-status= live }}

File:Wind power curtailment in USA, 2007-2014.svg in Texas]]

In July 2008, utility officials gave preliminary approval to a $4.9 billion plan to build new transmission lines to carry wind-generated electricity from West Texas to urban areas such as Dallas. The new plan would be the biggest investment in renewable energy in U.S. history, and would add transmission lines capable of moving about 18,000 megawatts.{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/17/AR2008071702549.html |title=Texas Will Spend Billions on Transmission of Wind Power|access-date=11 April 2018|via=www.washingtonpost.com}} ERCOT curtailed wind power by 17% (3.8 TWh) in 2009, but that decreased to only 0.5% by 2014, as transmission improved, particularly the Competitive Renewable Energy Zone (CREZ) in 2013.Wiser, Ryan H., and Mark Bolinger. "[https://emp.lbl.gov/publications/2014-wind-technologies-ma 2014 Wind Technologies Market Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914001202/http://emp.lbl.gov/publications/2014-wind-technologies-ma |date=2015-09-14 }}" page 38. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, August 2015.Wiser, Ryan H., Eric Lantz, Mark Bolinger, and Maureen M. Hand. "[https://emp.lbl.gov/sites/all/files/wind-energy-costs-2-2012_0.pdf Recent Developments in the Levelized Cost of Energy from U.S. Wind Power Projects] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304092843/https://emp.lbl.gov/sites/all/files/wind-energy-costs-2-2012_0.pdf |date=2016-03-04 }}" page 12. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 2012. [https://emp.lbl.gov/publications/recent-developments-levelized-cost-energy-us-wind-power-projects Header page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117033257/https://emp.lbl.gov/publications/recent-developments-levelized-cost-energy-us-wind-power-projects |date=2015-11-17 }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.puc.texas.gov/industry/maps/maps/CREZ_Map_Attach_A.pdf |title=Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ) Docket No. 35665 Attachment A |website=Public Utility Commission of Texas |access-date=2016-04-17 |archive-date=2016-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418200855/http://www.puc.texas.gov/industry/maps/maps/CREZ_Map_Attach_A.pdf }} However the CREZ lines are sometimes maxed out, and in November 2015, prices were negative for 50 hours.

In an early morning period of low electricity demand, wind energy served more than 56% of total demand on the ERCOT grid at 3:10 am Central Standard Time on Saturday, January 19, 2019. Two days later, ERCOT set a new wind output record of nearly 19.7GW at 7:19 pm Central Standard Time on Monday, January 21, 2019.

In areas where Smart Metering is commonly installed,{{cite web|title=Scope of Competition in Electric Markets in Texas|url=http://www.puc.texas.gov/industry/electric/reports/scope/2015/2015scope_elec.pdf/|work=Public Utility Commission of Texas|access-date=11 February 2015|archive-date=17 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317103404/https://www.puc.texas.gov/industry/electric/reports/scope/2015/2015scope_elec.pdf|url-status=live}} some utilities offer free electricity at night.{{cite news |title=A Texas Utility Offers a Nighttime Special: Free Electricity |author=CLIFFORD KRAUSS and Diane Cardwell |newspaper=The New York Times |date=8 November 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/09/business/energy-environment/a-texas-utility-offers-a-nighttime-special-free-electricity.html |access-date=23 February 2017 |archive-date=30 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230235753/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/09/business/energy-environment/a-texas-utility-offers-a-nighttime-special-free-electricity.html |url-status=live }}

In 2020, wind power surpassed coal in the total electricity balance of the state for the very first time, “the newest sign of the growing popularity of the renewable energy in fossil fuel heartland of America,” as per the Financial Times.[https://www.ft.com/stream/29e9fad1-14fc-480b-a89c-cd964750bd80 Wind power overtakes coal in Texas electricity generation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110154927/https://www.ft.com/stream/29e9fad1-14fc-480b-a89c-cd964750bd80 |date=2021-01-10 }}, Financial Times]

{{Main|List of power stations in Texas#Wind farms}}

{{Location map+|Texas

|float=left

|width=700

|caption= Large Wind power projects in Texas
  8px Operating
  8px Under construction
  8px Proposed
  8px Major cities

|places=

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= McAdoo

|lat= 33.752106

|long= -100.967510

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= right

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Roscoe

|lat= 32.264

|long= -100.344

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= left

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= South Plains

|lat= 34.185167

|long= -101.371667

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= left

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Horse Hollow

|lat= 32.19

|long= -100.03

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= bottom

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Sweetwater

|lat= 32.33878

|long= -100.444565

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= top

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Buffalo Gap

|lat= 32.311

|long= -100.149

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= right

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= King Mountain

|lat= 31.238

|long= -102.238

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= left

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Magic Valley

|lat= 26.48

|long= -97.58

|mark= Orange pog.svg

|position= top

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Baryonyx

|lat= 26.49

|long= -97.3

|mark= Blue pog.svg

|position= right

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Brazos

|lat= 32.950

|long= -101.147

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= top

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Capricorn Ridge

|lat= 31.903

|long= -100.901

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= left

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Desert Sky

|lat= 30.916

|long= -102.108

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= right

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Elbow Creek

|lat= 32.216

|long= -101.431

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= left

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Gulf Wind

|lat= 27.0878

|long= -97.590

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= right

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Karankawa

|lat= 28.154

|long= -97.77

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= right

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Hackberry

|lat= 32.824

|long= -99.278

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= top

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Lone Star

|lat= 32.273

|long= -99.456

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= bottom

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Sherbino

|lat= 30.811

|long= -102.362

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= bottom

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Trent

|lat= 32.422

|long= -100.212

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= right

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Wildorado

|lat= 35.307

|long= -102.32

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= top

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Galveston

|lat= 29.142

|long= -97.6757

|mark= Blue pog.svg

|position= right

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Los Vientos

|lat= 26.3548

|long= -97.6757

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= bottom

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Amazon

|lat= 32.735833

|long= -100.737778

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= left

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Anacho

|lat= 29.194722

|long= -100.187778

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= left

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Bearkat

|lat= 31.727222

|long= -101.581944

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= left

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Bethel

|lat= 34.574722

|long= -102.469444

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= left

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Blue Cloud

|lat= 34.071389

|long= -102.602222

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= left

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Breunnings

|lat= 26.463611

|long= -97.829722

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= left

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Cactus Flats Hill

|lat= 31.333056

|long= -98.88

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= right

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Flat Top

|lat= 31.675556

|long= -98.517778

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= right

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Javelina

|lat= 27.44

|long= -98.91

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= left

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Live Oak

|lat= 30.898889

|long= -100.610278

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= right

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Rattlesnake

|lat= 31.252222

|long= -99.526389

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= left

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Santa Rita

|lat= 31.181389

|long= -101.318889

|mark= Green pog.svg

|position= top

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Amarillo

|lat= 35.1992

|long= -101.8453

|mark= Red pog.svg

|position= right

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Austin

|lat= 30.25

|long= -97.75

|mark= Red pog.svg

|position= right

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Dallas

|lat= 32.7828

|long= -96.8039

|mark= Red pog.svg

|position= right

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= El Paso

|lat= 31.7903

|long= -106.4233

|mark= Red pog.svg

|position= right

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Fort Worth

|lat= 32.75

|long= -97.3333

|mark= Red pog.svg

|position= left

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Lubbock

|lat= 33.577

|long= -101.89

|mark= Red pog.svg

|position= left

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= Houston

|lat= 29.7628

|long= -95.3831

|mark= Red pog.svg

|position= right

}}

{{Location map~|Texas

|label= San Antonio

|lat= 29.42

|long= -98.49

|mark= Red pog.svg

|position= right

}}

}}

File:Texas wind power map.webp

{{clear}}

After years of preparation,{{cite web |title=Texas passes law for big renewable energy portfolio |url=https://www.windpowermonthly.com/article/955103/texas-passes-law-big-renewable-energy-portfolio |website=www.windpowermonthly.com |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170811103734/https://www.windpowermonthly.com/article/955103/texas-passes-law-big-renewable-energy-portfolio |archive-date=11 August 2017 |date=1 July 1999 |url-status=live}}{{cite book |author1=Kate Galbraith, Asher Price |title=The Great Texas Wind Rush |date=2013 |publisher=University of Texas Press |isbn=9780292748804 |pages=121 |quote=we like wind. Go get smart on wind}} the Texas Renewable Portfolio Standard was originally created by Senate Bill 7 and signed by Governor Bush in 1999,[http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=76R&Bill=SB7 SB7] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923200446/http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=76R&Bill=SB7 |date=2015-09-23 }} [http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/76R/billtext/html/SB00007I.htm Law text] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923200517/http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/76R/billtext/html/SB00007I.htm |date=2015-09-23 }}Texas Legislature Online, May 1999. Retrieved September 24, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/re/rps-portfolio.php|title=Texas Renewable Portfolio Standard|publisher=Texas State Energy Conservation Office|access-date=September 24, 2011|archive-date=March 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304211930/http://seco.cpa.state.tx.us/re/rps-portfolio.php|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url= http://www.pewclimate.org/node/4120 |title=Texas Renewable Portfolio Standard|publisher=Pew Center on Global Climate Change|date=September 24, 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080730212509/http://www.pewclimate.org/node/4120 |archive-date=July 30, 2008}} which helped Texas eventually become the leading producer of wind powered electricity in the U.S.{{cite web |last=Koronowski |first=Ryan |url=http://www.repoweramerica.org/states/texas/wind-power-in-texas/ |archive-date=January 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113144117/http://www.repoweramerica.org/states/texas/wind-power-in-texas/ |title=It's Not Just Oil: Wind Power Approaches 8% of Texas Electricity in 2010 |website=Repower America |date=January 19, 2011 }}{{cite magazine|author1=Galbraith, Kate |author2=Price, Asher |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/a-mighty-wind-2/ |title=A mighty wind|page=5|magazine=Texas Monthly|date=August 2011|url-status=live|archive-date=May 20, 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240520220332/https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/a-mighty-wind-2/ }} The RPS was part of new laws that restructured the electricity industry. The Texas RPS mandated that utility companies jointly create 2000 megawatts (MW) of new renewable energy by 2009 based on their market share.{{cite journal |last1=HURLBUT |first1=DAVID |title=A Look Behind the Texas Renewable Portfolio Standard: A Case Study |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24889202 |journal=Natural Resources Journal |pages=129–161 |date=2008 |volume=48 |issue=1 |jstor=24889202 |access-date=2020-10-30 |archive-date=2020-11-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104083447/https://www.jstor.org/stable/24889202?seq=1 |url-status=live }} In 2005, Senate Bill 20, increased the state’s RPS requirement to 5,880 MW by 2015, of which, 500 MW must come from non-wind resources. The bill set a goal of 10,000 MW of renewable energy capacity for 2025, which was achieved 15 years early, in 2010.{{cite book |title=Reinventing Fire |author=Amory B. Lovins |author-link=Amory B. Lovins |date=2011 |page=218 }}

According to DSIRE.org, "In 1999 the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) adopted rules for the state's Renewable Energy Mandate, establishing a renewable portfolio standard (RPS), a renewable-energy credit (REC) trading program, and renewable-energy purchase requirements for competitive retailers in Texas. The 1999 standard called for 2,000 megawatts (MW) of new renewables to be installed in Texas by 2009, in addition to the 880 MW of existing renewables generation at the time. In August 2005, S.B. 20 increased the renewable-energy mandate to 5,880 MW by 2015 (about 5% of the state's electricity demand), including a target of 500 MW of renewable-energy capacity from resources other than wind. Wind accounts for nearly all of the current renewable-energy generation in Texas. The 2005 legislation also set a target of reaching 10,000 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2025.

File:Texas electricity generation by type.webp

File:Texas Electricity Generation Sources Pie Chart.svg |access-date=2020-05-11 |archive-date=2021-02-20 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210220193848/https://www.insider.com/wind-energy-texas-to-outpace-coal-2019-9 |url-status=live }}]]

Qualifying renewable energy sources include solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, wave or tidal energy, biomass, or biomass-based waste products, including landfill gas. Qualifying systems are those installed after September 1999. The RPS applies to all investor-owned utilities. Municipal and cooperative utilities may voluntarily elect to offer customer choice.

The PUCT established a renewable-energy credit (REC) trading program that began in July 2001 and will continue through 2019. Under PUCT rules, one REC represents one megawatt-hour (MWh) of qualified renewable energy that is generated and metered in Texas. A capacity conversion factor (CCF) is used to convert MW goals into MWh requirements for each retailer in the competitive market. The CCF was originally administratively set at 35% for the first two compliance years, but is now based on the actual performance of the resources in the REC-trading program for the previous two years. For the 2010 and 2011 the CCF will be 30.5%."

Each retailer in Texas is allocated a share of the mandate based on that retailer’s pro rata share of statewide retail energy sales. The program administrator maintains a REC account for program participants to track the production, sale, transfer, purchase, and retirement of RECs. Credits can be banked for three years, and all renewable additions have a minimum of 10 years of credits to recover over-market costs. An administrative penalty of $50 per MWh was established for providers that do not meet the RPS requirements.

Like several Texas solar plants, some Texas wind power plants include storage, with more projects under construction.{{Cite web |last=Bedeschi |first=Beatrice |date=19 May 2021 |title=Enel to build longer wind battery in Texas to boost returns |url=https://www.reutersevents.com/renewables/wind/enel-build-longer-wind-battery-texas-boost-returns |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519170906/https://www.reutersevents.com/renewables/wind/enel-build-longer-wind-battery-texas-boost-returns |archive-date=19 May 2021 |website=Reuters Events |publisher=Reuters}} One of the first such energy storage systems started as 36 MW in Notrees in December 2012. The system allows excess wind energy to be stored, making the output more predictable and less variable.{{cite web|url=http://www.texastribune.org/texas-energy/wind-energy/west-texas-project-change-future-of-wind-power/ |title=West Texas Project Could Change Future of Wind Power|first=Lindsay|last=Patterson |date=20 April 2011|website=texastribune.org|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=11 November 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121111092249/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-energy/wind-energy/west-texas-project-change-future-of-wind-power/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Duke Energy|title=Duke Energy Renewables completes Notrees Battery Storage Project in Texas; North America's largest battery storage project at a wind farm|url=http://www.duke-energy.com/news/releases/2013012301.asp |publisher=Duke Energy|access-date=28 June 2015|archive-date=30 June 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150630233947/http://www.duke-energy.com/news/releases/2013012301.asp |url-status=live}}

If developed, the Tres Amigas HVDC link to the Western grid and the Eastern grid could allow more flexibility in importing and exporting power to and from Texas.{{cite web|url=http://www.tresamigasllc.com/ |title=Tres Amigas|website=www.tresamigasllc.com |access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=12 April 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180412001410/http://www.tresamigasllc.com/ |url-status=usurped}}

A 300 MW offshore wind farm is planned for Galveston, and 2,100 MW for the Gulf Coast of Texas.{{cite web|url=http://offshorewindwire.com/2011/05/17/texas-test-turbine-by-end-of-2011/ |title=Texas Offshore Wind Project Eyes Test Turbine by End of 2011|website=offshorewindwire.com|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160305025914/http://offshorewindwire.com/2011/05/17/texas-test-turbine-by-end-of-2011 |url-status=live}} Making turbines that are able to yaw quickly could make them more likely to be able to survive a hurricane.{{cite web|url=http://www.riskandinsurance.com/story.jsp?storyId=533345480 |title=Wind Turbines Can Be Strengthened Against Hurricanes|website=riskandinsurance.com|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=6 March 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160306140244/http://www.riskandinsurance.com/story.jsp/?storyId=533345480 |url-status=live}}

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{{color box|#9dd;}} Teal background indicates the largest wind generation month for the year.

{{color box|#74C365}} Green background indicates the largest wind generation month to date.

Source:{{cite web|url=http://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.cfm?t=epmt_1_17_a|title=Electric Power Monthly Table 1.17.A.|author=EIA|author-link=Energy Information Administration|publisher=United States Department of Energy|date=July 23, 2013|access-date=2013-07-23|archive-date=2012-12-05|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205061611/http://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.cfm?t=epmt_1_17_a|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/index.cfm|title=Electric Power Monthly Table 1.17.B.|author=EIA|author-link=Energy Information Administration|publisher=United States Department of Energy|date=July 23, 2013|access-date=2013-07-23|archive-date=2013-05-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529223915/http://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/index.cfm|url-status=live}}

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{{Portal|Wind power|Renewable energy|Energy|United States|Texas}}

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• Electricity sector of the United States
• Renewable energy in the United States
• Wind power in the United States
• List of wind farms in the United States
• List of large wind farms
• United States Wind Energy Policy
• Deregulation of the Texas electricity market
• Public Utility Commission of Texas
• Electric Reliability Council of Texas
• Solar power in Texas

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{{Reflist|refs=

{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/10/18/texas-wind-energy-so-strong-its-beating-out-coal-power/3865995002/|title=Turbines to the max: Texas produces more wind energy than nearly anywhere else in the world|last1=Weise|first1=Elizabeth|last2=Jervis|first2=Rick|work=USA TODAY|language=en|date=October 18, 2019|access-date=2019-10-19|archive-date=2019-10-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019002104/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/10/18/texas-wind-energy-so-strong-its-beating-out-coal-power/3865995002/|url-status=live}}

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{{Commons category}}

• [https://windexchange.energy.gov/states/tx Current Texas wind generation maps, capacity, ordinances, and more from Energy.gov]
• [http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/re_wind-reserve.htm Compressed air storage]
• [http://www.ercot.com/content/cdr/html/CURRENT_DAYCOP_HSL.html Actual and predicted wind power]
• {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130201045536/http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50675 Wind Power Helps Texas Move Past Oil]}}
• [https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna19231397 Texas oil tycoon plans largest wind farm]
• [https://archive.today/20130201052312/http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKN1038279020080410 Wind power experts say Texas grid needs work]
• [http://www.renewableenergybenefits.com/2009/12/wind-energy-in-texas-facts.html Wind energy in Texas – Reasons for success]
• {{cite web | url= http://theenergycollective.com/terynnorris/51416/curious-case-texas-wind-industry | title= The Curious Case of the Texas Wind Industry | first= Christopher | last= Head | date= February 9, 2011 | publisher= The Energy Collective | access-date= 2011-02-10 }}
• [http://www.thewindpower.net/wind-farms-list-4-texas.php Every wind farm of Texas @The Wind Power]
• [http://www.ercot.com/gridinfo/csc/ ERCOT Forecasted and Actual Wind Power Production]

{{Wind power in the United States}}

{{Energy in the USA}}

{{Electricity generation}}

{{Texas}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wind Power In Texas}}