Corpus Christi port sees wind gust in energy industry

​​CORPUS CHRISTI – Wind energy is quickly muscling its way into Texas’ crowded energy landscape.

And the Port of Corpus Christi has become the tip of the spear in the industry. 

Texas ranks first in the nation for both installed and under-construction wind capacity, while also supporting more than 24,000 wind-related jobs. 

The state is home to at least 40 manufacturing facilities and numerous component suppliers, and its wind energy industry has provided nearly $33 billion in capital investment.

The parts to make a windmill are big; a tower can stretch several hundred feet.

That’s where the Coastal Bend’s largest port can play a vital role in getting blades, turbines and other materials from a transaction sheet to someone’s property.

A total of 99,300 tons of wind energy-related equipment and materials passed through the port last year, compared with 57,000 tons in 2014 and 21,000 tons in 2013, according to port financial records.

Roughly 25,000 tons of such material made its way through the port between January and May, according the most updated port data.