Cielo Wind Power: Economic Facts

Economic Facts

Wind developments can significantly help a community's economy. In fact, through many developments in and around the state of Texas, Cielo is spurring economic growth in communities that once depended heavily on income from oil and gas.

Local Jobs
By providing jobs, wind power developments help revitalize rural communities. Cielo Wind Power aims to use as many local workers and contractors as possible, employing as many as 300 people during project construction, and approximately 1 technician for every 8 turbines during operations. In 2001, the Texas wind industry employed more than 2,500 workers. Additionally, once construction is complete, a full time staff is needed to operate and maintain the project. The employment Cielo provides helps counties retain community members by offering skilled positions to local workers.

Local Taxes
Since wind power projects are capital intensive, Cielo must pay considerable property taxes, supporting various schools, hospitals and county services. Texas’s current wind projects are expected to pay over $200 million in taxes over the life of each project.

Choose Cielo Wind Power
Wind power is an energy source that is growing increasingly popular all over the United States. Texas is quickly becoming a worldwide leader of wind power developments. Under Senate Bill 7, passed in 1999, Texas electric companies are mandated to provide 2,000 MW of renewable energy capacity by the year 2009. This means that Cielo is currently working with Texas counties to develop wind projects that meet this energy requirement. And we are always looking for more counties that are ready for Cielo to provide considerable tax revenue, landowner royalty payments, quality long-term jobs and strong economic diversification.