Commercial Operation | 2009 |
Facility Megawatt Capacity | 271 |
Owned Megawatts | 271 |
Equipment Manufacturer | Siemens Gamesa |
Equipment Model | SWT 2.3, 108 |
Equipment Quantity | 118 |
Power Purchaser | Austin Energy |
Revenue Type | Hedge |
Contract Tenor | 20 year |
gallons of water conserved
metric tons of CO2 avoided
houses powered
*Offset metrics are based on comparison with region coal fleet emissions when available or average US coal fleet
Gulf Wind is strategically located on the Gulf Coast in Kenedy County, Texas, where favorable wind conditions allow our turbines to maximize energy production during peak energy demand.
Over 25 years, Gulf Wind is expected to contribute nearly $150 million to the local economy through tax and landowner payments. Approximately 450 people worked onsite during construction and 23 workers remain onsite to maintain and operate the facility.
Gulf Wind sits on 9,600 acres leased from the Kenedy Memorial Foundation. All monies received by the Foundation support its charitable causes to fight poverty, boost education, and build stronger communities.
Compared to coal-fired generation, the electricity produced annually by Gulf Wind offsets the carbon dioxide emissions equivalent of 180,000 cars, and conserves enough water to supply more than 10,500 Texans each year.
The site is populated by mesquite trees, and the Nilgai deer, which is coveted by local hunters. We are close to the coast where high heat, high humidity, and high salinity often pair with hurricanes. In late August 2017, the site withstood Hurricane Harvey, one of the strongest hurricanes in local memory. Following the storm, when the facility was deemed undamaged and safe to resume operations, Gulf Wind returned to supplying much needed energy to the Texas grid.
Gulf Wind began commercial operation in 2009. The 283.2 MW facility runs 118 Mitsubishi 2.4 MW turbines in the South Zone of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) market and sells 100% of its power output into the ERCOT market by way of a long-term power purchase agreement with Morgan Stanley.