The Texas wind energy industry provided more than 10% to the 2014 electricity mix, according to the state’s grid operator.
According to the the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, by way of the US Energy Information Administration, wind energy provided 6.2% of the state’s share of electricity in 2009, a figure which has since grown to 10.6% in 2014 (at the same time as electricity generation has increased by 11.3%).
“The growth in wind generation is a result of new wind plants coming online and grid expansions that have allowed more wind power to flow through the system to consumers,” state the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
In fact, wind energy generation has nearly doubled from 2009 — growing from 19.9 million MWh in 2009 to 36.1 million MWh in 2014.
In fact, the story of Texas’ wind energy industry is interesting, and a good example of how wind energy can work.
Texas Adds Generation And Capacity
The US EIA say that the state’s wind capacity has also grown substantially over the past six years, but that wind energy generation grew faster because in addition to capacity, “transmission constraints that previously prevented wind generators from operating at their maximum capability were gradually removed through a state-directed transmission expansion program.”
Texas was highlighted by the American Wind Energy Association in their end of year round-up, having installed the most of any state in the US in 2014, with 1,118 MW (followed by Oklahoma a long distance second, with 648 MW).
Texas is also leading the way in terms of number of projects currently under construction, with 7,500 MW in varying states of approval through to construction.
Spring Is Texas’ Windy Season
As can be seen below, Texas’ peak wind season is through March to June, and significantly drops off over summer.
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