Report: Wind Generates 10% of Texas Electricity in 2014

In 2014, in excess of 10% of the electricity used in the grid covering most of Texas came from wind generation, according to the grid's operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Wind's share of the ERCOT generation mix grew from 6.2% in 2009 to 10.6% in 2014 as total electricity generation increased over the same period by 11.3%. The growth in wind generation is a result of new wind plants coming online and grid expansions that have allowed more wind power to flow through the system to consumers.

Wind generation in ERCOT nearly doubled from 18.8 million megawatt hours (MWh) in 2009 to 36.1 million MWh in 2014. Wind capacity has also grown substantially over the past 6 years, but wind generation grew at a faster pace, partly because transmission constraints were removed that previously prevented wind generators from operating at their maximum capability. As these transmission constraints were removed, more generation from wind plants (largely concentrated in the northwestern part of the state) could reach the state's population centers.

Wind's contribution to ERCOT generation is not evenly distributed throughout the year. In Texas, peak wind season occurs during the spring, significantly dropping off during the summer. Based on data for the past 6 years, the 4 months from March through June account for on average about 40% of yearly wind generation in ERCOT. See the U.S. Energy Information Administration story.

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