Looking to add 225 megawatts of wind-generated power by December 2008, Texas-based Austin Energy is nearly doubling it's green energy sources.

UK company Renewable Energy Systems (RES) will begin construction in 2007 and 2008 on two new wind farms in West Texas. The Whirlwind Energy Center will be constructed 60 miles northeast of Lubbock, and features 28 new turbines that can produce up to 60 megawatts of wind-generated power—enough to power 28,000 homes according to RES. The second facility—near Abilene in Shackleford County—will produce upwards of 165 megawatts of wind power. RES is expected to finish construction on this wind farm—the Hackberry Wind Project—in late 2008.

The projects will increase Austin Energy's green power portfolio—specifically its Green Choice® program—which will receive a portion of the 100 megawatt energy generated between both facilities.

Green Choice is part of Austin Energy's goal to produce 30 percent of its current power supply from renewable energy sources by 2020. For more information regarding Austin Energy's Green Choice program and other products and intitiatives, please see the company newsroom.