POWERING UP

A history of the state’s booming energy sector. From oil to wind and solar energy, the Lone Star State is the undisputed leader of US energy production.

Spindletop Hill oil geyser

On January 10, 1901, an oil geyser erupted from a drilling site on Spindletop Hill in Jefferson County, southeastern Texas. The geyser reached 150 feet and produced nearly 100,000 barrels a day, surpassing any previous oil discovery in power. This event led to a thriving oil industry in the area.

Energy crisis

The energy crisis, rooted in substantial petroleum shortages as well as elevated prices, led to the Texas energy advisory council, which commissioned studies on different energy sources. In 1974, a study was conducted on wind power, then, in 1977, another was conducted on a range of options such as solar, wind, biomass, and algae.

Deregulation

The Texas energy market was deregulated during this period. In 1999, Texas established its Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) as part of the restructuring of the state's electricity market. The original objective was to install 400 megawatts (MW) of new renewable energy by 2003 and to continuously increase capacity every two years, reaching 2,000MW by 2009.

Harnessing the wind

In 2005, the Texas Legislature passed a law mandating an increase in the usage of renewable energy, primarily wind power, situated in West Texas. The law directed the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) to establish Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ) throughout the state.

Booming energy production

During the 2010s, Texas emerged as a leading producer of wind energy, surpassing traditional fossil fuels in terms of installed capacity. Along with the expansion of fossil fuels, there was also investment in upgrading its electrical grid to accommodate the growth in renewable energy, including the construction of new transmission lines.

Undisputed leader

Leading the US in both crude oil production and refining – with the capacity to process 5.1mn barrels of crude oil

– Texas also takes the number one spot for natural gas production, electricity production, wind energy capacity, biodiesel production, and solar potential. More than 55,600 clean energy workers are found in Texas.