The wind turbine cargo numbers at the port have been steadily increasing with 2, 603 handled in 2015 and 2,875 in 2016. Global Trader Magazine reported in 2015, “The Port of Corpus Christi is the preferred harbor for wind turbine components. This has led to a $1 billion infrastructure investment program initiating a series of renovations including deepening the ship channel to 52 feet and building a new rail yard with 8,500-foot-long sidings that can accommodate eight unit trains.”
Jarl Pedersen, Port Corpus Christi Chief Commercial Officer, said. “We recognize the continued innovation in the wind energy industry and need to make infrastructure investments allowing us to offer competitive solutions for transport of ever larger wind turbine components.”
Port Corpus Christi’s strategic location on the Texas Gulf Coast allows for logistics solutions for wind power projects across the Great Plains. Texas continues to lead the nation as the top wind energy industry state with over 20,000 MW of installed wind power capacity. In 2017 wind power surpassed coal fired power generating capacity in the state.
The Port Corpus Christi Commission on December 12, 2017 approved a contract for construction of an additional 25-acre laydown yard for storage of wind turbine components and other breakbulk cargo.
Port Corpus Christi’s vision is to be the Energy Port of the Americas. Since August 2017, it has purchased 100% renewable electricity produced by wind power projects and other renewable energy projects in Texas.
