Texas shows the way for wind power


Substation Relay Protection Training

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 12 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$699
Coupon Price:
$599
Reserve Your Seat Today
Texas remains the runaway leader in wind power generation capacity, with more than the next three states combined, according to a report released by the American Wind Energy Association.

Wind generation capacity in the U.S. grew by 15 percent in 2010, according to the wind association's U.S. Wind Industry Annual Market Report. Wind power accounted for 26 percent of all electricity generating capacity added last year.

The Lone Star State has 10,085 megawatts of wind capacity it is followed by Iowa, 3,675 California, 3,177 and Minnesota, 2,192. Texas added 680 megawatts of wind capacity last year, the association said.

But you haven't seen anything yet, said Greg Wortham, executive director of the Texas Wind Energy Clearinghouse and mayor of Sweetwater, a West Texas town of 12,000 that has become a hub for the state's wind generation.

About a quarter of the nation's wind generation capacity "is within an hour's drive" of Sweetwater, Wortham said.

West Texas is primed for continued growth in wind power, as the state has embarked on a $5 billion project to build large transmission lines linking wind farms with population centers such as Dallas-Fort Worth. The project is well under way and aims to be done by the end of 2013.

New transmission towers and new cable are going up, with "wind projects following behind that," Wortham said.

Growing numbers of West Texans are employed in various facets of wind power, and "it's just becoming an entrenched industry" in the region, he said.

With the added transmission lines under construction, the next three years should be "really good" for the state's wind industry, which could provide 15 percent of Texas' electricity by 2015, Wortham forecasts.

That would be nearly double the 7.8 percent that wind provided last year on the state's largest power grid, operated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, ERCOT spokeswoman Dottie Roark said.

Coal fueled 39.5 percent of ERCOT's electricity generation, with natural gas a close second at 38.2 percent. Nuclear accounted for 13.1 percent and other sources, including hydroelectric, provided 1.4 percent.

Related News

Severe heat: 5 electricity blackout risks facing the entire U.S., not just Texas

Texas power grid highlights ERCOT reliability strains from extreme heat, climate change, and low wind,…
View more

U.S. Electricity and natural gas prices explained

Energy Pricing Factors span electricity generation, transmission, and distribution costs, plus natural gas supply-demand, renewables,…
View more

N.L. premier says Muskrat Falls costs are too great for optimism about benefits

Muskrat Falls financial impact highlights a hydro megaproject's cost overruns, rate mitigation challenges, and inquiry…
View more

Wind Leading Power

UK Wind Power Surpasses Gas as offshore wind and solar drive record electricity generation, National…
View more

National Grid warns of short supply of electricity over next few days

National Grid power supply warning highlights electricity shortage risks amid low wind output, generator outages,…
View more

Rising Electricity Prices: Inflation, Climate Change, and Clean Energy Challenges

Rising Electricity Prices are driven by inflation, climate change, and the clean energy transition, affecting…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Live Online & In-person Group Training

Advantages To Instructor-Led Training – Instructor-Led Course, Customized Training, Multiple Locations, Economical, CEU Credits, Course Discounts.

Request For Quotation

Whether you would prefer Live Online or In-Person instruction, our electrical training courses can be tailored to meet your company's specific requirements and delivered to your employees in one location or at various locations.