The reduction in output from wind turbines was actually less than predicted. The real problem was from gas lines freezing up at the well head that feed the gas fired plants. Conservatives are trying to spin this as a failure of green energy, but that is an outright lie. We had a similar storm in 2011 and the producers failed to prepare because of soft regulations. The politicians are pretty busy now blaming everyone in sight. No one taking responsibility.
Texas has 6 GW of winter time wind capacity and 67 GW natural gas. Half the gas plants went down. Demand when the storm hit was 70 GW - near summertime peak. If we lost 3 GW of wind and 30 GW of gas power, not a green energy failure.
Good thing about Texas is forecast temp are in the 70's next week.
Facts and science are the only truths. Political labels and political posturing do nothing productive.
Gas fueled power generation replaced many coal fired plants in Texas. Absolutely a "cleaner greener" power generation method. Gas fired power generation cannot be separated from "Green" energy. It has to be a major part of the move to "Green" for the foreseeable future. Three problems revealed. First, gas fired plants must be better prepared for severe weather in the future. Secondly, gas production and distribution has to be better prepared. Third, "greener" energy production must be overall more robust and dependable.
Wind turbines freezing up in Texas actually confirmed the weakness of that technology. Anytime, for any reason, a wind turbine stops generating energy confirms they are not dependable. For wind turbines to be reliable contributors in the power grid there must be massive energy storage capability. That technology does not exist currently, maybe someday. Counting on wind turbines currently is not based on facts.
The power crisis experienced in Texas is a warning. Politics, emotion, and government drove Texas power generation in a "greener" direction. Scale that to a national level and what do you think will happen? There is no doubt energy production must evolve. Most importantly, there must be rational fact based planning and execution.