Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center
Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center is a large Texas onshore wind farm with 735.5 MW capacity, 421 turbines across about 47,000 acres; built in three phases in 2005–2006 and notable for its scale and mixed turbine manufacturers.
Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center is a large onshore wind farm in north-central Texas with a combined nameplate capacity of 735.5 megawatts (MW). The development covers nearly 47,000 acres (about 190 km²) and is composed of machines from more than one manufacturer. Commissioned in stages in 2005–2006, the project remains an example of early large‑scale wind deployment in the United States.
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Characteristics and layout
The facility comprises 421 turbines in total: 291 GE units rated at 1.5 MW each and 130 Siemens units rated at 2.3 MW. Turbines are sited across parts of Taylor County and Nolan County in the state of Texas. The 735.5 MW figure is the combined nameplate rating; actual electricity output varies with wind resource, seasonal patterns and equipment availability. Typical onshore wind capacity factors in the United States often fall in the mid‑20s to high‑30s percent range, so annual generation depends on site conditions and operating practices.
History and development
Construction proceeded in three main phases. The first phase delivered about 213 MW and was finished in late 2005. A second phase added roughly 223.5 MW and was completed in the second quarter of 2006. A final phase of about 299 MW finished by the end of 2006, bringing the total to 735.5 MW. When completed, Horse Hollow ranked among the largest onshore wind farms by installed capacity and contributed to a rapid expansion of wind energy in Texas.
Operation, grid and economics
Horse Hollow supplies electricity to the Texas grid and participates in regional energy markets. Large wind farms provide renewable generation that can displace fossil‑fuel production during windy periods and help diversify the electricity mix. Projects of this scale create construction and maintenance jobs, and landowners commonly receive long‑term lease payments while retaining agricultural or ranching uses beneath turbines. Over time, operators may carry out equipment upgrades or "repowering" to extend productive life and improve performance.
Environmental and community considerations
Benefits of utility‑scale wind include reduced greenhouse gas emissions from displaced generation and relatively low water use compared with thermal power plants. Like other wind projects, Horse Hollow has required environmental assessments and operational measures to reduce impacts on birds, bats and local habitats, along with community engagement around siting, noise and visual effects. Many wind farms aim to balance energy production with ongoing land uses such as grazing.
Legacy and further information
Horse Hollow played a notable role in demonstrating that large wind projects could be developed quickly across working agricultural landscapes. For technical specifications, grid connection details or current operational status, consult primary project documentation or operator reports via the project page: Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center. County resources are available for Taylor County and Nolan County, and broader context on state energy is provided by Texas energy information sources: Texas energy information.
Questions and answers
Q: What is the Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center?
A: It is a large wind farm located in Taylor and Nolan County, Texas, with a capacity of 735.5 MW.
Q: How many wind turbines are there at the Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center?
A: The wind farm has 291 GE 1.5 MW wind turbines and 130 Siemens 2.3 MW wind turbines.
Q: How big is the land area covered by the Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center?
A: The wind farm spans across nearly 47,000 acres (190 km²) of land in Taylor and Nolan County, Texas.
Q: When was the first phase of the Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center completed?
A: The first phase of the wind farm, consisting of 213 MW, was completed in late 2005.
Q: When was phase two of the Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center completed?
A: Phase two of the wind farm, consisting of 223.5 MW, was completed in the second quarter of 2006.
Q: When was phase three of the Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center completed?
A: Phase three of the wind farm, consisting of 299 MW, was completed by the end of 2006.
Q: What companies manufactured the wind turbines at the Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center?
A: The wind farm has 291 GE 1.5 MW wind turbines and 130 Siemens 2.3 MW wind turbines. Therefore, the wind turbines were manufactured by GE and Siemens.
Related articles
Author
AlegsaOnline.com Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/45160