In Texas, New Transmission Lines Boost Wind Jobs
April 24, 2015
A little more than a year ago a $7 billion expansion of Texas’ power grid was completed to accommodate the flurry of new wind farms under construction.
But as wind power continues to boom across the plains of West Texas and the Panhandle, the system — named CREZ, or Competitive Renewable Energy Zones — could soon be nearing capacity again.
The state’s grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, is studying the transmission system in the Texas Panhandle, where at least 2,200 megawatts’ worth of new wind farms — enough to power more than 400,000 homes — are expected to begin operation before 2017.
Right now the region has about half that much wind capacity. And with an additional 3,600 megawatts planned, it might not be too long before the CREZ lines reach their limit, said ERCOT’s director of system planning, Warren Lasher.
“A lot has changed since the CREZ project was first established in 2006,” he said. “We’re seeing a lot of interest in the Panhandle. And if additional wind farms [commit to construction], above a certain point we will need new transmission.”
Climate Denial Crock of the Week 
April 25, 2015 at 3:11 pm
It’s good for the economy. And the environment.
April 25, 2015 at 9:01 pm
That insane state of a State is innovating in energy and remember Texas Tech hired Professor Duncan from U of Missouri in Jan 2015 and a new LENR institute and hydrogen technology center is the result, just announced very quietly.
April 26, 2015 at 11:03 am
Texas would also benefit from a ramp-up in solar, especially rooftop solar, which is currently hampered by a mishmash of policies that effectively make it impractical.