Solar, wind and batteries expected to outpace new gas-powered generation in Texas

Texas is increasingly moving away from natural gas-fired power generation, the fuel that built Texas and currently supplies about half of the state's generating capacity. Texas is increasingly moving away from natural gas-fired power generation, the fuel that built Texas and currently supplies about half of the state's generating capacity. Photo: John Davenport, STAFF / San Antonio Express-News Photo: John Davenport, STAFF / San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Solar, wind and batteries expected to outpace new gas-powered generation in Texas 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Texas is increasingly moving away from power generated by natural gas, the backbone of the state's electricity system and which supplies about half of the state's generating capacity.

Solar power is emerging as the state's fastest growing electricity source, according to the state grid manager, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. Solar developers are expected to install about 68 gigawatts of solar power capacity, representing 61 percent of the power projects expected to come on the grid between now and 2023. One gigawatt provides enough power for about 700,000 homes.

Wind developers are expected to add 30 gigawatts of power or 27 percent of total new capacity in the next three years, according to ERCOT. Battery storage developers are on the books to generate 8 gigawatts or 7 percent of new capacity.

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New natural gas-fired power plants are predicted to add only 6 gigawatts to the Texas power mix, or 5 percent of the total, from 2020 to 2023.