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Energy is Good for Texas
Wind
Texas has led the U.S. in wind energy over the past 17 years, largely because its abundant space and optimal wind conditions make it an ideal location to capture this resource.
In 2022, Texas wind generated 40,556 megawatts (MW), accounting for more than 26 percent of all U.S. wind-sourced electricity.
In 2011, Texas became the first state to reach 10,000 MW of wind generating capacity and remained the only state with that capacity until 2020.
Texas Wind Energy Produced
In 2023, wind represented 28.6 percent of Texas energy generation, second to natural gas (41.8 percent).
There are 239 wind-related projects in Texas and more than 15,300 wind turbines, the most of any state.
Texas wind power generation surpassed the state's nuclear generation in 2014 and coal-fired generation in 2020.
Wind Energy Economics in Texas
Wind Electric Power
Generation Jobs, 2022
26,135
Average Annual Wage for
Wind Electric Power Generation Jobs
$109,826
Gross Domestic Product for
Wind Electric Power Generation, 2021
$1.7 billion
Roscoe Wind Farm
Hundreds of individual turbines often are grouped together to create wind farms. The Roscoe Wind Complex, made up of four wind farms, is collectively one of the largest wind farms in the U.S. and is spread across 100,000 acres and four counties. Roscoe, the second largest wind farm in Texas, has 627 wind turbines and is capable of providing wind- generated energy to over 194,000 homes. The Roscoe Wind Complex has remitted more than $92 million in local taxes since 2008.
Outlook
The wind electric power generation industry is expected to have tremendous employment growth over the next decade. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of wind turbine technicians is anticipated to grow 44 percent by 2031.
TOP 10 LARGEST TEXAS WIND FARMS BY CAPACITY, 2023
Map Details
| Name | County | Installed Capacity (MW) |
|---|---|---|
| Los Vientos Wind Farm I-V | Starr and Willacy | 912 |
| Roscoe Wind Complex | Fisher, Mitchell, Nolan and Scurry | 782 |
| Javelina Wind Energy Center | Webb and Duval | 749 |
| Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center | Taylor and Nolan | 736 |
| Capricorn Ridge Wind Farm | Coke and Sterling | 663 |
| Penascal | Kenedy | 605 |
| Sweetwater Wind Farm | Nolan | 585 |
| Buffalo Gap Wind Farm | Nolan and Taylor | 523 |
| Spinning Spur | Oldham and Potter | 516 |
| South Plains | Floyd | 500 |
This is one in a series of reports the Comptroller has prepared on energy in Texas.
See more information on energy Issues and the Texas economy.
Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the material on this page, please contact the Comptroller’s Data Analysis and Transparency Division.