Texas: Leading the United States in Renewable Energy

Wind and solar farms harness two of the most plentiful sources of free energy in the world. Yet we know that the sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow. These two natural resources, however, actually play to each other’s strengths and provide a complementary stream of renewable energy, as solar energy is collected while the sun shines during the day and wind energy kicks into high gear at night when winds are the strongest. Few places are fortunate enough to have ample sun and consistent winds that allow for each resource to compensate for lulls caused by the other. But Texas perfectly poised to harness the power of clean energy throughout the year. Researchers at Rice University found that wind and sun patterns in Texas complement one another uniquely well. Their research, published in Renewables: Wind, Solar, and Water, demonstrated that solar and wind farms throughout the state reach peak production daily and annually, and that throughout the year wind production in one part of the state can offset a “wind drought” in another location. This means that a network of solar and wind farms across the state can provide Texas with a steady stream of electricity throughout the year, resulting in more reliable and less expensive energy. Jeff Clark, President of the renewable energy advocacy group Advanced Power Alliance, says Texas is perfectly positioned to benefit from the rapid and large scale deployment now underway in that state. “Texas is in an ideal place to lead the transition to advanced energy. From the farthest reaches of the Panhandle to the coastal plains in South Texas, this state has been blessed with infinite supplies of wind energy and solar power that are now being harnessed to supply our expanding economy and population.” – Jeff Clark, President of the Advanced Power Alliance Enel Green Power is excited to work with the State of Texas and its local workforce to harness the State’s immense natural resources in order to bring online two of our largest solar and wind plants in the United States: Roadrunner solar plant and High Lonesome wind farm in Upton and Crockett counties. Everything’s Bigger in Texas: High Lonesome and Roadrunner They say that everything’s bigger in Texas, and this rings true for two of Enel Green Power’s recent construction projects. We kicked off 2019 with the start of construction of our High Lonesome wind farm: a project that will be Enel Green Power’s largest wind farm in the world. We’re also making use of Texas’ abundant sunshine and starting construction on our Roadrunner solar plant, which will be the largest operational solar plant in Texas and Enel’s largest in the United States. The High Lonesome wind farm, spanning Upton and Crockett Counties, will generate about 1.7 TWh of energy a year. That’s enough sustainable energy to help avoid more than 1.1 million tons of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere annually. Construction on our Roadrunner solar plant in Upton County began in February 2019. The first phase, comprising about 252 MW, is expected to be completed by the end of 2019. The remaining capacity of 245 MW is expected to begin by the end of 2020. When fully operational, the solar plant will generate about 1.2 TWh annually that can cover the annual energy consumption of around 115,000 US homes, and will prevent the emissions of over 800,000 tons of CO2—equivalent to taking 170,000 cars off the road. Texas’ leading role in sustainability Texas generates 24,899 MW of wind energy each year through its 144 wind projects, making the state the leader in the US for installed wind capacity according to the American Wind Energy Association. It is ranked 6th in the country for its installed solar capacity, generating 2,465.75 MW annually according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. Clean energy has become an important economic development tool for Texas over the last decade. The renewables industry continues to attract investments across sectors, including manufacturers, technology providers, and corporations who have committed to powering their operations with wind and solar energy. “We know that Texans are thrilled to be using our own energy resources, breaking our addiction to imported fuels. Renewables are cleaner, cheaper, and made in Texas!” – Jeff Clark, President of the Advanced Power Alliance The development of new renewable energy plants like High Lonesome and Roadrunner will enable Texans to receive cleaner, more affordable and more reliable power, allowing the state to maintain its role as the leader in renewable energy development for years to come.

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Texas: Leading the United States in Renewable Energy

Texas: Leading the United States in Renewable Energy

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