Atlan Land Company

More Information

Wind energy faces transmission obstacles. As noted above, some of the best wind sites are in remote areas far from population centers, making them dependent on long-distance transmission. Unlike fossil fuels and biomass, which can be transported by pipeline, road or rail, wind energy is produced on site and can only be transported to customers over electric transmission lines.

Extending transmission lines to windy areas is expensive. A recent

ERCOT

study estimates that building transmission lines to transport wind generated electricity from West and Northwest Texas to urban areas will cost about $1.5 million per mile.

Before they can build the transmission lines, Texas utility companies must lease or buy easements from landowners. For landowners adjacent to wind farms, the expansion of wind energy to their area may mean the construction of what they view as unsightly transmission lines on their farm or ranch land, without any of the economic benefits that accrue to landowners with wind turbines on their property. Again, landowners receive only a one-time payment for the easement, which includes both the transmission lines and towers.