Jerry Patterson, Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office, recently announced details of the state's second offshore wind farm - a development off the coast of Padre Island National Seashore.
Jerry Patterson, Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office, recently announced details of the state's second offshore wind farm - a development off the coast of Padre Island National Seashore.
The multi-million dollar agreement - the second such lease in less than a year - grants Superior Renewable Energy of Houston rights to 39,900 acres of submerged land in the Gulf of Mexico just off the coast of Padre Island. The company plans to build a wind farm that will generate up to 500 megawatts of power.
"When completed, this will be the biggest offshore wind farm in U.S. history," Patterson said.
The lease provides Superior a four-year period for research, after which the company will begin construction of enough turbines to produce a minimum of 250 MW of electricity. Superior has plans to expand the offshore wind farm to 500 MW or more.
Under the lease, Superior is allowed to assess Texas coastal winds, develop a production …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]The multi-million dollar agreement - the second such lease in less than a year - grants Superior Renewable Energy of Houston rights to 39,900 acres of submerged land in the Gulf of Mexico just off the coast of Padre Island. The company plans to build a wind farm that will generate up to 500 megawatts of power.
"When completed, this will be the biggest offshore wind farm in U.S. history," Patterson said.
The lease provides Superior a four-year period for research, after which the company will begin construction of enough turbines to produce a minimum of 250 MW of electricity. Superior has plans to expand the offshore wind farm to 500 MW or more.
Under the lease, Superior is allowed to assess Texas coastal winds, develop a production plan and construct the wind farm - with its own money.
The General Land Office expects Texas schools to earn anywhere from $34 million to more than $100 million from the lease.
"Texas has historically been dependent upon oil and gas." Patterson said. "But oil and gas won't last forever. It's vital that the Land Office find new ways to earn money for the Permanent School Fund."