Texas adds largest amount of new wind energy capacity

October 20, 6:40 PMDallas Environmental Policy ExaminerCaroline Calais

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Horse Hollow Wind Farm in Taylor County, Texas.
(AP Photo/LM Otero, file)

Texas again adds the largest amount of new wind energy capacity, and keeps its lead as the country’s biggest wind producing state, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) reported today in its third quarter market report.

“Wind power installations are up, and that is good news for America’s economy, environment, and energy security”, said AWEA CEO Denise Bode, adding that manufacturing is lagging and that a firm national long-term commitment to renewable energy is needed for the U.S to become the wind turbine manufacturing powerhouse and create hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Nonetheless, the U.S wind energy industry installations in the third quarter are higher than either the 2nd quarter of 2009, or the 3rd quarter of 2008, and the newly installed 1,649 MW brings the total capacity added this year to 5,800 MW. And it is the federal stimulus bill that is the major driving force that the wind industry is tracking ahead of where it were this time last year, AWEA says, even though state policies, attractive wind project economies, and expectations of action on climate change plays a role.

Texas is in the lead, adding 436 MW of new capacity in the third quarter, Oregon is second with 251 MW of new capacity, and Illinois third with 201 MW. Texas also heads the nation in total operating wind capacity, producing 8,797 MW. Iowa is second with 3,053 MW, and California third with 2,787 MW.

Still, Texas’ success has little to do with the stimulus bill. The state introduced a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) in 1999. The standard, which was part of a reform that changed Texas’ electricity market, mandated municipal, cooperative, and competitive electricity providers to collectively produce 2,000 MW of renewable energy by 2009.

The 10-year renewable energy goal was met in just six years, and in 2005 the Texas Legislature expanded the legislation, and added a Renewable Energy Credit (REC) program. The program enables electricity providers that do not own or purchase enough renewable energy capacity to purchase credits from other utilities.