Oct. 03, 2006

Perry Dedicates Expansion of Buffalo Gap Wind Farm

MERKEL – Gov. Rick Perry today dedicated a major expansion of the Buffalo Gap wind farm in Taylor County.

“Today we welcome a tremendous investment in a stronger economy, a healthier environment and a future that is brighter because it’s powered by clean and renewable West Texas wind energy,” Perry said.

AES Corporation recently completed the first phase of the wind farm called Buffalo Gap 1. The second phase, called Buffalo Gap 2, is expected to achieve commercial operation by summer of 2007. The combined output of both phases will be 352.5 Megawatts.

“When this landmark expansion comes online next year, Buffalo Gap will become home to one of the largest wind farms in the United States. Every year, these turbines will generate enough energy to power 100,000 average homes,” Perry said.

Perry, who was joined at the announcement by executives of AES and Direct Energy, emphasized the benefits wind energy has on the environment. For every 1000 megawatts generated by new wind sources, Texas will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by six million tons over the next 20 years.

The Buffalo Gap Wind Project Dedication comes after yesterday’s announcement by Perry of $10 billion in private capital investment in Texas wind energy.

“With this $10 billion announcement, the economic ripple will be more like a tidal wave as these companies pour millions of dollars into wages and salaries for Texas workers,” Perry said.

Texas has abundant wind energy, particularly in West Texas and along the gulf coast. In 2001 Texas added more wind power capacity than all other states combined, and earlier this summer Texas surpassed California as the nation’s leader in wind generation capacity.

The planned expansion of wind-generated energy builds on initiatives Perry developed in 2003 with the creation of the Texas Energy Planning Council. The council was charged with developing a long-term energy plan for the state, including exploring alternative and renewable sources of energy. The council’s report, issued in December 2004, recommended that by 2025, 10 percent of the state’s power needs come from renewable sources and that the PUC takes steps to overcome transmission obstacles that limit the development of renewable energy sources.