Offshore Wind Farm Approved In Texas

The Houston-based Superior Renewable Energy, LLC (SRE) has been approved by the Texas General Land Office to build over 100 wind turbines from 3 to 8 miles off the Texas coast in the Gulf of Mexico. SRE plans to build approximately 500 megawatts of capacity, which is enough electricity for 500, 000 homes. SRE will pay Texas an initial fee of $80,000 and 4 percent of revenues for 20 years and 5 percent thereafter as royalties. Texas waters extend out 8 miles due to a special law while state waters usually extend out 3 miles.

SRE has already completed construction of the 50 megawatt Kumeyaay Wind Power Project in San Diego, California and is about to complete a 90 megawatt project in New Mexico. It is estimated that the Texas project will prevent the following emissions: 9 million pounds of sulfur dioxide, 4 million pounds of nitrogen oxide and 1.8 billion pounds of carbon dioxide.