Traditionally the words “Texas” and “energy” used in a sentence would bring to mind oil wells; but the U.S. state is also a renewable energy powerhouse these days.
According to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc, Texas retired nearly 15 million renewable energy credits (RECs) in 2009. With over 10,000 megawatts (MW) of new renewable generation, Texas has bypassed the Texas Legislature’s renewable energy goal 15 years early.
Texas passed the 5,000 MW by 2015 renewable energy target six years ahead of schedule, and the original mandate for 2000 MW by 2009, three years early.
ERCOT interim CEO Trip Doggett says the REC program is also one of the biggest influences on the rapid growth of wind power in the state. Texas has led the nation in wind capacity since 2006.
In 2009, the REC program tracked 21.6 million megawatt-hours (MWh) of renewable energy, an increase of approximately 26 percent over 2008.
Texas Renewable Capacity, 2009
* 9,915 MW of wind energy
* 80 MW of landfill gas
* 33 MW of hydro power
* 40 MW of biomass
* 1 MW of solar power
Texas Renewable Energy Produced, 2009
* 20,595,909 MWh from wind energy
* 507,507 MWh from hydro power
* 412,926 MWh from landfill gas
* 73,364 MWh from biomass
* 4,492 MWh from solar power
The Texas Legislature established the renewable portfolio standard as part of the restructuring of the state’s electricity market in 1999 to increase incentives for renewable energy production.
