Parts of North and West Texas have become synonymous with wind power generation, and although their local wind speeds and generating capacity are greater than those along the Gulf Coast, wind farms in that part of the state are fast becoming important contributors to the Lone Star State wind energy market.
Local News
Wind Farms Along the Texas Gulf Coast Are Integral to Lone Star State Energy
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Photo: Maxpixel
In a report by the Houston Chronicle, the wind off the Texas Gulf Coast is consistently more reliable during peak demand periods, and can, therefore, reduce the price spikes we often see on hot summer days, thereby lowering customer energy bills.
Photo: Maxpixel
Seeing the first wind farm developed along the Gulf Coast in 2012 by North Carolina-based Duke Energy, there are now nine such farms located between Brownsville and Corpus Christi. With the capacity to generate 3,000 megawatts (approximately 15 percent of Texas’ overall wind generation capacity), there are also an additional four such projects in line for development in the area. To provide some perspective, one megawatt of power can provide enough energy to run roughly 200 homes per day in the Texas heat. This presently equates to 600,000 homes being powered by Gulf Coast wind, with the potential for more to be produced in the coming years. It’s a phenomenal step for Texas and a great opportunity for end-user cost reduction.
