As international developers of utility-scale energy projects, we closely analyze the world's most dynamic markets. The query, "how much of Texas's energy is renewable," is one of the most compelling, as it highlights a major paradox: a state world-famous for oil and gas is, simultaneously, a global leader in renewable energy.
To answer this with technical precision, we must first clarify the query. "Energy" is a broad term. The most accurate data tracks electricity generation, not total energy (which includes the fossil-fuel-heavy sectors of transport and heating). The vast majority of the Texas grid is managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).
Based on the official ERCOT data for 2023, the answer is: Renewable energy sources generated approximately 35.6% of the electricity on the Texas grid.
This figure is staggering in its scale. Texas not only leads the United States in renewable energy production, but its renewable generation alone surpasses the total electricity consumption of most other states.
The 35.6% figure is a composite. Unlike other regions that may have a more balanced mix, the Texas renewable story is overwhelmingly dominated by a single source, though another is rising faster than anywhere else in the country.
Wind power is the undisputed king of renewables in Texas. In 2023, wind alone accounted for 26.1% of all electricity generated on the ERCOT grid. This is a direct result of two factors: geography and infrastructure. The vast plains of West Texas constitute one of the world's most potent "wind corridors," an ideal geographic asset. This resource has been harnessed by decades of massive investment in both wind turbines and the high-voltage transmission lines (known as CREZ lines) required to move that power to population centers.
While wind is the established backbone, solar is the future. In 2023, solar (both utility-scale and small-scale) provided 8.1% of ERCOT's electricity. From our perspective as solar project developers, this is the most critical trend. The solar build-out in Texas is happening at an exponential rate, with gigawatts of new utility-scale solar (like the projects we specialize in) being added every quarter.
The key technical advantage is that solar's production profile (peaking midday) is a perfect complement to wind (which often peaks at night and in the morning) and helps meet Texas's highest demand, which occurs on hot, sunny afternoons.
The remaining 1.4% of Texas's renewable generation comes from smaller sources, primarily hydroelectric dams and biomass. These are stable but minor contributors to the overall energy mix.
The Full Context: The Role of Non-Renewable Sources
To fully answer the query, we must place this 35.6% renewable share in the context of the entire grid. Texas is an "all-of-the-above" energy state, and fossil fuels still provide the majority of its power.
Natural Gas: This is the primary source of electricity in Texas, accounting for approximately 44.9% of generation in 2023. From a technical standpoint, natural gas plants are "dispatchable," meaning they can be ramped up and down quickly to balance the intermittency of wind and solar.
Coal: This is the third-largest source, providing 15.8% of generation. However, coal is in a steady decline as it is being economically outcompeted by cheaper natural gas and renewables.
Nuclear: The state's nuclear plants provided 7.6% of generation.
The Future: The Critical Role of Battery Storage
From our expert perspective, the most important technology for Texas's future is not just generation, but storage. To manage the massive (and growing) influx of intermittent wind and solar, Texas is deploying Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) faster than almost anywhere in the world.
These utility-scale batteries, a core expertise of our company, solve the central challenge of renewables. They inhale cheap, excess solar and wind power during times of overproduction and exhale it back onto the grid during peak demand (like hot summer evenings when the sun has set). This load-shifting makes the grid more stable, reliable, and capable of integrating even more renewables.
Our Expert Conclusion
To answer the query directly: Renewable energy provided 35.6% of the electricity on the Texas (ERCOT) grid in 2023.
Texas is the definitive case study in an energy paradox. It remains a global leader in fossil fuels while simultaneously leveraging its immense natural resources (wind and sun) and competitive market structure to become the undisputed renewable energy leader of the United States.
Resources
Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) - Data & Reports: https://www.ercot.com/gridmktinfo/dashboardsU.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) - Texas Profile: https://www.eia.gov/state/?sid=TXEmber - U.S. Electricity Data: https://ember-climate.org/countries-and-regions/countries/united-states/