Although the modern wind power generation of Texas is highest throughout the US, historic windmills (pictured) prove that the idea is not all new. Image source: Shutterstock (#498011185)
Texas is mainly associated with Republican-dominated politics and with being an oil-rich and fracking-friendly state. Yet, Texas is the national leader in growing renewable energy especially wind energy. The state has 11 592 wind turbines that have a capacity of 20 321 megawatts which is three times the capacity of Iowa, according to the American Wind Energy Association. Last year wind provided 12,68 percent of Texas electricity which powered 5,7 million homes. Moreover, throughout the last years increasingly heavy investments have been made, from 400 million USD in 2000 to 3 billion today. Those investments were initiated under the governorships of the Republicans, George W Bush and Rick Perry. In 2015 the Republican dominated Congress even extended a tax credit for wind production until 2020. Many especially rural communities do feel the benefits of wind energy.
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