Dive Brief:
-
Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows that Texas used more electricity than any other state in 2015, FuelFix reports.
-
The Lone Star state used nearly 400 million kWh and had average electricity prices well below the national average.
- California and Florida were second and third in electricity use, but both used more than 100 million kWh less than Texas.
Dive Insight:
Texas is an anomaly in electricity. The state is rich in gas and oil, but also leads the nation in wind power. It is also the only competitive wholesale market in the country that does not have a capacity market.
According to one analysis, the lack of a capacity market has saved Texas electricity customers billions of dollars. It also has not stood in the way of the state having a robust electric power market. New reports this year has shown that winter demand has spiked in the Lone Star state, spurring additional wind energy output as natural gas has risen steadily to make up roughly 48% of the state's power mix.
According to the DOE’s Energy Information Administration, Texas leads the nation in electricity usage, and it is doing so at average rates far below the national average.
The state has also attracted new generation despite the lack of a capacity market, particularly wind generation. Texas lead the nation in wind power capacity with about 18,500 MW of installed wind farms.