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 Wind Energy In Texas & the ERCOT Region History and Potential Texas is an energy state. Twentieth century Texas enjoyed the rewards of its oil and gas production, bringing wealth and affordable energy to the state and its citizens. Also significant is Texas' natural resource of wind power, which has just begun to be developed. In 1999, Texas' renewable energy rules laid a strong foundation for a healthy wind industry, bringing jobs, economic development and clean power to Texas. The Wind Coalition hopes to build on that foundation and expand the market for wind. Texas installed more wind power in 2001 than the entire U.S. in any previous year. According to a study by West Texas A&M University, Texas' wind potential is 536,000 MW - the energy equivalent of nine trillion cubic feet of natural gas per year. (Texas' production of natural gas is almost six trillion cubic feet per year.) Wind power is a natural complement to natural gas generation, which supplies about 50% of electric energy to Texans today.  Benefits for Texas Based on the 1,992 MW of wind power already installed in Texas as of 2003, consumers across Texas already see benefits from Texas' world-class wind sites, including:
 Harnassing More Wind Requires More Power Lines All large power plants need transmission lines to send power to customers. Wind power plants are no different. Just as it built farm-to-market roads 65 years ago, Texas today needs power lines to get its wind resource to market. Only by investing in new cost-effective infrastructure to harness the wind can Texans maximize the benefits of clean, secure wind power. Compared to rising costs of fuel for generation, and costs from pollution, including air quality, health effects and water consumption, building infrastructure to support wind power development makes economic sense for Texas.  While natural gas production is among Texas' most vital industries, stabilizing prices will benefit the overall Texas economy. Wind power and efficiency can help to offset the rising cost of natural gas generation for Texas consumers. For more, see Balancing our energy supplies: solutions for a healthy Texas economy. On the books TEXAS RPS The Texas Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), established by SB7 in 1999, created a market-based system designed to build up to 2000 MW of new renewable energy capacity by 2009. A key component in the RPS is the use of Renewable Energy Credits (REC) to validate compliance in meeting the renewable energy goal. A REC is issued when a renewable energy facility – such as a wind farm – generates electricity. Each REC represents all of the environmental attributes of one megawatt-hour of renewable generation, including the emission-reduction benefits of displacing conventional fuels, such as coal, nuclear or natural gas. For more on Texas RPS and RECs, click here. Click to view more on Texas statutes and rules
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