Hopes for wind program

While the Permian Basin has seen new wind farms popping up for years, the big money and permanent jobs that come with wind manufacturing have largely eluded the area. Some are hoping that a new Texas Tech University program can help change that.

The National Wind Resource Center, which was formed by Texas Tech but has an independent board, is focused on research and development in wind energy through collaborative research and development agreements with national laboratories, academic institutions and trade groups.

David Miller, Texas Tech system vice chancellor for commercialization, said having research and development could benefit the entire West Texas region in landing wind-related business.

"What we’re trying to do is continue to grow our relationships throughout the region to enhance economic development participation in the wind sector," Miller said this week in Odessa, where he met with economic development officials from across the Permian Basin. "The main thing is to enhance our partnerships with each community to be involved when they have a lead that they’re looking to come to their area, so that Texas Tech can participate."

The university would use it involvement with wind research to try to show companies interested in building both wind farms and wind turbine parts the benefits of cooperating with academic researchers. Miller said the research helps the companies in the long run.

"Hopefully, that will make a difference in a company coming to West Texas, as opposed to a going somewhere else," he said.

Miller said the wind resource center plans to both develop its own wind farms and partner with existing and future commercial wind projects.

The project has requested between $10 million and $30 million in state Emerging Technology Funds to establish and develop the wind resource center, Miller said. It hopes to know how much it will receive within the next few months. Texas Tech is contributing another $10 million and the project hopes for at least $17 million in federal funds and up to $500 million in private donations over three phases of the project.

Not only will Texas Tech help communities in landing wind projects, but Gary Vest, economic development director for the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, said it would assist with other forms of renewable energy such as solar power.

"We’ve got to play every angle we can to improve our opportunities," he said. "Odessa is still the energy epicenter."

Morse Haynes, Monahans economic development director, said he looks forward to working with Texas Tech and the resource center.

"It’s a great resource for every economic developer," he said.

Mike Hatley, the economic officials’ Midland counterpart, said the current climate, where wind power development has slowed due to the economy and the wait for transmission capacity to be expanded, is a good time to find new ways for the Permian Basin to make its mark in the industry.

"I look at that as a favorable aspect, where some of us, like Midland, are looking to establish themselves in the wind industry," he said. "This gives us an opportunity to catch our breath and get a foothold."