November 7, 2007, The Wind Coalition
Austin, Texas –
Based on statistics released today by the American Wind Energy
Association (AWEA), Texas has shattered the national record for wind
installations by one state in a single year. The 1,185 megawatts (MW)
of wind projects completed in Texas through the first 9 months of 2007
surpass the previous full-year state mark of 912 MW, set by Texas in
2001.
This achievement establishes Texas as the first state to achieve
the milestone of one Gigawatt of wind installations in a single year.
With more than 500 MW of additional wind power projects nearing
completion by year's end, wind turbines in Texas will soon be producing
enough electricity to power one million Texas homes.
"The international wind industry is responding to the welcome mat
set out by Texas, particularly the State's commitment to build
transmission lines to support new development in the best wind areas"
says Mike Sloan, Managing Consultant of The Wind Coalition, a regional
wind advocacy group operating in the south central United States.
The proactive Competitive Renewable Energy Zone (CREZ) transmission
development process is expected to trigger substantial additional
installations of wind power in Texas, pending a final decision in 2008
from the Public Utility Commission of Texas in Docket No. 33672.
Adds Sloan, “ Texas' competitive energy markets and
business-friendly environment have enabled the wind industry to deliver
results that help customers and help the environment more quickly in
Texas than in any other state."
In addition to providing clean, affordable energy, wind plays a
helpful role in reducing the number of other power plants needed in the
future. Says Sloan, "Official data for Texas shows there was not even a
single hour during 2006 that had zero wind power production. Texas will
certainly need a variety of energy sources to power its future, but
wind power can be counted upon to play an increasingly significant role
for some time to come."
Spurred by successful renewable energy development policies, Texas
surpassed California during 2006 to become the nation’s leader in wind
capacity. The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) reports that
Texas currently has almost thirty-percent of the total wind energy
capacity installed in the nation. According to AWEA, 3,953 MW of the
nation’s 13,885 MW is operating in Texas.
AWEA’s press release can be found at:
www.awea.org/newsroom/releases/AWEA_Quarterly_Market_Report_110707.html |
