The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) has issued an interim final order designating five competitive renewable energy zones (CREZs) in West Texas and the Texas Panhandle and authorizing development of transmission lines needed to deliver electricity produced in each CREZ to customers throughout Texas. A final order, transmission plan and budget are pending before the PUCT, but are expected to be finalized in early 2008.
In addition, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has initiated a transmission optimization study to develop options for delivering wind power from the five CREZ to customers throughout ERCOT's grid, including the Dallas, Houston and San Antonio areas. Total wind capacity served in ERCOT's studies, from both new and existing projects, will range from 10,000 MW to 22,806 MW, according to the Wind Coalition, a nonprofit association that promotes wind energy in the south-central U.S.
