List of power stations in Texas facts for kids

Texas is a very big state, and it uses a lot of electricity! In fact, it uses and makes more electricity than any other state in the U.S. This article lists the different types of power plants in Texas that help create all that energy.

In 2022, Texas had enough power plants to make 148,900 megawatts (MW) of electricity. In 2023, the state produced a huge amount of electricity, about 525,562 gigawatt-hours (GWh). Most of this energy came from natural gas (51.1%). Wind power was the second biggest source (22.2%), followed by coal (13.2%). Nuclear power made up 7.5%, and solar power was 5.1%. Other sources like biomass and hydroelectric power made up smaller amounts. Texas is always adding new ways to make electricity, especially from wind and solar. By the end of 2021, wind power capacity grew to 35,000 MW and solar power capacity reached 10,300 MW.

Nuclear Power Stations

Nuclear power plants use the heat from splitting atoms to create steam. This steam then spins turbines to make electricity. Texas has two large nuclear power stations.

Fossil-Fuel Power Stations

Fossil-fuel power stations burn fuels like coal or natural gas to heat water and create steam. This steam then turns turbines to generate electricity.

Coal Power Plants

Coal power plants burn coal to produce electricity. Some of these plants are planning to close or switch to natural gas in the coming years.

Closed Coal Plants

These coal power plants are no longer in use.

Natural Gas Power Plants

Natural gas power plants burn natural gas to create electricity. They are a major source of power in Texas.

Closed Natural Gas Plants

These natural gas power plants are no longer in use.

Renewable Power Stations

Renewable power stations use natural resources that can be replaced, like sunlight, wind, or water, to make electricity.

Biomass Power Plants

Biomass power plants burn organic materials, like wood waste or crops, to create energy.

Closed Biomass Plants

This biomass power plant is no longer in use.

Hydroelectric Dams

Hydroelectric dams use the force of moving water to spin turbines and generate electricity.

Wind Farms

Wind farms use large wind turbines to capture the energy of the wind and turn it into electricity. Texas has many large wind farms.

Solar Farms

Solar farms use solar panels to convert sunlight directly into electricity. Texas has many large solar farms.

Utility Companies

Utility companies are businesses that provide electricity to homes and businesses. Here are some of the main ones in Texas.

• Vistra Energy (includes Luminant and TXU)
• Oncor Electric Delivery
• NRG Energy (includes Reliant Energy, Green Mountain Energy)
• CenterPoint
• AEP (American Electric Power)
• Austin Energy^*
• Calpine
• CPS Energy^*
• El Paso Electric
• Entergy, Texas
• Lubbock Power and Light^*
• Lower Colorado River Authority^*
• Luminant
• Panda Energy International
• Quanta Services
• Pedernales Electric Cooperative
• Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative
• Brazos Electric Cooperative
• Bryan Texas Utilities (BTU)
• Golden Spread Electric Cooperative
• Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative
• Magic Valley Electric Cooperative
• Nueces Electric Cooperative
• Rayburn Country Electric Cooperative
• Rio Grande Electric Cooperative
• Sam Houston Electric Cooperative
• San Bernard Electric Cooperative
• San Miguel Electric Cooperative
• South Plains Electric Cooperative
• South Texas Electric Cooperative
• Trinity Valley Electric Cooperative
• United Cooperative Services
• Victoria Electric Cooperative
• Wise Electric Cooperative

^* public utility

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