Wind produced a record 25.9% of electric power in the main Texas grid through May, all but ensuring that it will surpass coal as a generation source for the first time on an annual basis in 2020, according to system operator ERCOT.

In 2019, coal edged wind out for second place (20.3% versus 20%) behind market leader natural gas, as wind energy output dipped during the hot summer months in West Texas where most turbines are located.

Wind there tends to blow mostly in the evening and early morning hours of the day when demand and power prices are much lower.

This year through May, coal’s share declined to 16.4% of 143.5 million MWh of electricity generated in ERCOT, which serves about 90% of the state’s electric load and is the largest US wind market with 24GW installed (as of 1 April). Natural gas was on top with 43.5% and nuclear fourth at 11.5%.

Historically king of the ERCOT power market, coal has steadily lost ground to cheaper and cleaner natural gas, wind and increasingly solar PV, enabling Texas to accelerate its energy transition faster than some states with much smaller economies.

About 4GW of coal-fired capacity have been retired in the last five years and another 700MW is scheduled for closure in 2020.

ERCOT is a competitive, energy-only market meaning that owners of all electric plants are paid only for their output, which has been a problem for inefficient, older coal facilities that are more expensive to operate.

Solar PV grabbed a 1.85% share in the first five months and a record 2.9% in May as more capacity gets built in southwest Texas. Solar is well-suited for Texas as its availability closely matches the state’s power demand curve in summer.

ERCOT is also the largest market for renewables procurement by companies and other non-utility entities that continue to spur wind and solar development in Texas.

Wind

Wind surges past coal in main Texas power market after record month