Cementing its reputation as a clean energy capital, the State of Texas serves as the largest wind power producer in the U.S. and fifth-largest producer globally, accounting for 28% of total domestic wind energy production. This can be attributed to several key factors: a unique geographical position in a natural wind belt that experiences high wind volumes; extensive power infrastructure, including nearly 500 miles of transmission lines; use of designated Competitive Renewable Energy Zones; and a favorable tax ecosystem for renewable developers. In total, the State is home to over 150 wind farms that carry a nameplate capacity of over 30,000 MW, as of 2020. In addition to creating clean energy streams, the wind power industry has generated over 24,000 local jobs. Accordingly, the State serves as a model for renewable energy commercialization for both U.S. states and abroad.
Los Vientos Wind Farm – 910 MW
Featuring over 400 wind turbines and constructed over five installation phases, Los Vientos Wind Farm is the largest wind facility in Texas and was completed in August 2016. The facility is owned by Duke Energy Renewables, a leading renewable energy developer that has installed over 1,500 MW of wind energy capacity in Texas. Unlike most wind farms that are located in the northern part of the state, Los Vientos is uniquely located in the southern Starr County and supplies power to the cities of Garland, Greenville and Bryan. While total nameplate capacity stands at over 900 MW, the wind farm delivers power through just two of its phases and is able to power up to 120,000 households.
Roscoe Wind Farm – 781 MW
Roscoe Wind Farm comprises 627 wind turbines and generates enough power to supply 265,000 households. At the time of its completion in 2009, the facility was considered the world’s largest wind farm, and still remains one of the largest wind farms today. Construction was completed in four phases and at a cost of more than one billion dollars. Located in Fort Worth, Roscoe Wind Farm spans nearly 100,000 acres and stretches across parts of four Texan counties.
Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center – 735 MW
Spanning 47,000 acres across Taylor County and Nolan County, Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center represented the largest wind farm globally at the time of its completion in 2006. The 421-turbine facility produces enough power to supply up to 220,600 households. The wind farm is owned by NextEra Energy and became operational following a three-phase construction consisting of 213 MW, 223.5 MW and 299 MW phases, respectively.
Capricorn Ridge Wind Farm – 662 MW
Capricorn Ridge Wind Farm generates enough power to supply over 220,000 households and eliminates 160,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions on average per year. The facility covers Sterling County and Coke County and operates from 342 GE 1.5-mW turbines and 65 Siemens 2.3-MW turbines. The project was built, owned and operated by a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources – one of the largest wind energy generators in the U.S. – and is also partly owned by Sullivan Trillian Fund Private Equity.
Sweetwater Wind Farm – 583 MW
Completed in 2007, Sweetwater Wind Farm is one of the oldest wind farms of Texas and a pioneer in utility-scale wind power production in the state, with electricity supplied to the cities of Austin and San Antonio. Located in Nolan County, the project was constructed in five phases and features over 390 wind turbines manufactured by GE Energy, Siemens and Mitsubishi. Sweetwater Wind Farm is owned by Duke Energy and Leeward Renewable Energy, the latter of which owns and operates 21 wind farms across nine U.S. states.
Energy Capital & Power (ECP) – in partnership with the African Energy Chamber’s U.S.-Africa Committee – invites U.S. companies, investors and organizations to participate in the first-ever U.S.-Africa Energy Forum (USAEF) (October 4-5, 2021, Houston, Texas), introducing American companies to African opportunities. To learn more about how U.S. firms can advance the agenda of sustainable, long-term investment in African energy, please visit www.energycapitalpower.com. To sponsor, speak or attend USAEF 2021, please contact Senior Director James Chester at [email protected]
