Feb 18, 2021 - Energy & Environment

How Texas' power mix breaks down

Data: EIA; Chart: Axios Visuals
Data: EIA; Chart: Axios Visuals

The chart above is a wide-angle look at the main sources of electricity generation in Texas, showing how natural gas is by far the biggest and how renewables (largely wind) have overtaken coal.

Yes, but: There's plenty of variation, and blaming wind for the state's crisis misses the mark, The Wall Street Journal reports.

  • "Texas counts on wind to meet only 10% of its winter capacity, according to the state’s grid manager," The Journal writes.
  • "Natural gas and coal make up the lion’s share, comprising 82%. Sure, some wind turbines glitched under cold weather conditions, but so did natural gas- and coal-fired power."

Go deeper: Texas crisis highlights the changing climate for U.S. power

Go deeper