State Economy
The population of the “Lone Star State,” Texas is approximately 30.50 million people[1]. Texas is the 2nd most populated state in the United States.
In 2022, Texas’ economy was ranked 2nd in the United States in gross domestic product (GDP)[2]. The state’s economy is dependent on advanced manufacturing, aerospace, aviation, defense, biotechnology, oil, natural gas, information technology, and petrochemical industries[3].
Environmental Policies
In 1999, Texas enacted a Renewable Generation Requirement,[4] mandating that all state utilities install a total renewable energy capacity of 5,880 MW by 2015.
In 2005, Texas amended the state’s Renewable Generation Requirement, mandating that all state utilities install a total renewable energy capacity of 10,000 MW by 2025.
In 2019, Texas’ utilities surpassed the 2005 Renewable Generation Requirement of 10,000 MW!
In 2021, Texas had a total renewable energy capacity from just wind and solar of over 35,000 MW[5]!
Power Generation Capabilities
In March 2023, utilities[6] used natural gas (44.3%), renewable energy (36.0%), coal (11.5%), and nuclear energy (8.2%) to generate electricity in Texas. Wind and solar are the dominant types of renewable energy used to generate electricity in Texas.
In March 2023, the average cost of residential electricity in Texas was 14.48¢ per kWh, compared to the national average of 15.85¢ per kWh.
Recent renewable energy developments in Texas include:
- 500 MW Solar Project – In December 2022, Texas renewable energy company, ConnectGen commissioned the Pecan Prairie Solar project at a site approximately 100 miles north of the city of Houston.
- 471 MW Solar Project – Danish company, Ørsted is continuing work on the Mockingbird Solar Center at a site approximately 110 miles northeast of the city of Dallas. The project is scheduled to be commissioned in 2024.
- 415 MW Solar Project – In June 2023, California renewable energy company Intersect Power commissioned the Radian Solar project at a site approximately 125 miles east southwest of Dallas.
- 400 MW Solar Project – Israeli companies, Kenlov Renewable Energy and the Ashtrom Group are continuing work on the Tierra Bonita solar project at a site approximately 250 miles east southeast of the city of El Paso. The project is scheduled to be commissioned by year-end 2024.
- 270 MW Solar Project – Missouri engineering company Black & Veatch is continuing work on the Parker solar project at a site approximately 75 miles south of Dallas. The project is forecast to be commissioned in 2023.
- 260 MW Solar Project – Missouri renewable energy company Savion is continuing work on the Brazoria West solar project at a site approximately 40 miles south of Houston. The project is forecast to be commissioned in November 2023.
- 250 MW Solar Project – In December 2022, North Carolina utility, Duke Energy commissioned the Pisgah Ridge Solar project at a site approximately 50 miles southeast of Dallas.
- 240 MW Solar Project – Spanish company, EDP Renewables is continuing work on the Cattlemen I Solar a project at a site approximately 125 miles northwest of Houston. The project is scheduled to be commissioned by year-end 2023.
- 240 MW Solar Project – Spanish company, Avangrid is continuing work on a solar project at a site approximately 50 miles northeast of the state capital, Austin. The project is scheduled to be commissioned in 2025.
- 200 MW Energy Storage Project – In March 2023, New York company, Global Infrastructure Partners commissioned a battery energy storage system (BESS) at a site approximately 300 miles southwest of Houston.
- 195 Solar Project – Virginia company, Apex Clean Energy is continuing work on the Angelo Solar project at a site approximately 200 miles northwest of Austin. The project is forecast to be commissioned in 2024.
- 190 MW Energy Storage Project – California renewable energy company, Qcells is continuing work on the Cunningham Energy Storage Project, a standalone battery energy storage system (BESS). The project is located at a site approximately 25 miles northeast of Dallas. The project is forecast to be commissioned by year-end 2023.
- 189 MW Solar +88.2 MWh Energy Storage Project – Enel is continuing work on the Blue Jay solar plus energy storage project at a site approximately 60 miles northwest of Houston. The project is forecast to be commissioned by year-end 2023.
- 120 MW Solar Project – California renewable energy company SB Energy is continuing work on the MW Eiffel Solar project at a site approximately 100 miles northeast of Dallas. The project is forecast to be commissioned by year-end 2023.
- 50 MW Energy Storage Project – In November 2022, Illinois company GlidePath Power Solutions commissioned the Byrd Ranch Energy Storage project at a site approximately 50 miles southwest of Houston.
Conclusions
Commercial coal mining began in Texas in 1819[7] near the Sabine River. Coal was initially used to fuel steam engines for the railroad, stoves, and forges.
In 2021, Texas had five operating coal mines[8], which produced approximately 17.25 million tons of lignite and bituminous coal. The coal used to fuel Texas’ power plants is transported from Wyoming by the railroads.
In 2010, 42.7% of Texas’ electricity was generated from coal-fueled power plants[9]. In March 2023, only 11.5% of the state’s electricity was generated from coal-fueled power plants. Why the decrease in the use of coal?
- Economics – The cost to generate power from coal is more than double the cost to generate power from renewables, like wind.
- Pollution – Coal ash, the product of coal burned in a power plant contains arsenic, mercury, and lead; which are toxic. In 2019, coal ash was documented to have leaked into the ground water around 241 coal-fired plants in America[10].
- Climate Change – Coal generates 40% to 45% more greenhouse gases than natural gas.
In 1866, the first oil well was drilled in Texas[11]. The Lone Star State has long been known as a major producer of crude oil, also known as “black gold.” In 2021, Texas produced more crude oil, than any other state in the United States.
In 2005, companies began to develop wind and solar projects in Texas to generate electricity for regional utilities. In 2022, approximately 23.5 % of the total electricity generated from wind[12] in the United States was located in the Lone Star State.
Forget black gold! Wind, solar, and energy storage projects are booming in the Lone Star State!
Jack Kerfoot
Website “Our Energy Conundrum”
www.jackkerfoot.com
Jack Kerfoot is a scientist, energy expert, and author of the book FUELING AMERICA, An Insider’s Journey and articles for The Hill, one of the largest independent political news sites in the United States. He has been interviewed on over 100 radio, podcast, and television stations from New York City to Los Angeles on numerous energy issues.
[1] Texas Population 2023, World Population Review
[2] U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis
[3] Texas Economic Development, “Target Industry Clusters”
[4] National Conference of State Legislators – State Renewable Portfolio Standards and Goals, August 13, 2021
[5] Elecktrek, Texas Wind Power Smashes Records In March 2021 by Michelle Lewis, April 7, 2021
[6] U.S. Energy Information Agency – Texas State Profile and Energy Estimates, Electricity Analysis
[7] Historical Coal Mining In Texas, Surface Mining and Reclamation Division, Railroad Commission of Texas
[8] U.S. EIA Annual Coal Report, Coal Production and Number of Mines by State, County, and Mine Type 2021, October 2022
[9] U.S. EIA, Electric Power Sector Consumption Estimates, Texas 1960-2018
[10] Reuters, “Coal Ash Contaminates Groundwater Near Most U.S. Coal Plants: Study” by Valerie Volcovici, March 3, 2019
[11] American Oil and Gas Historical Society, “First Texas Oil Well” December 1, 2004.
[12] U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) – Texas