The world's largest wind farm opens in Texas

       

Further reading

• American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) (98)

A record generating capacity of 735 MW

In September, FPL Energy commissioned the third part of the Horse Hollow Wind Energy Centre in Texas. With a generating capacity of 735 MW, it is now the largest wind farm in the world.

The Horse Hollow Wind Energy Centre is comprised of 291 GE 1.5 MW wind turbines and 130 Siemens 2.3 MW wind turbines. It covers approximately 47,000 acres. Phase One of the overall project consisted of 213 MW and was completed in late 2005. Phase Two consisting of 223 MW was completed in the second quarter of 2006. The recent commissioning of Phase Three adds another 299 MW. With the completion of this project, Texas now surpassed California as the US state with the largest wind energy capacity.

The US wind energy industry is on track to install a record 2,750 MW of generating capacity in 2006. The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) estimates that installations next year will exceed those of 2006 and range from 3,000 to 3,500 MW.