Wind energy company Aeolus Energy Services (AES) is in the process of removing nearly 300 windmills from a property in southwest Taylor County after county commissioners declined to renew a longstanding tax abatement.
Taylor County is in west-central Texas, with its county seat and largest city being Abilene.
AES representatives in 2025 proposed a deal to try to secure a tax abatement for a renewal project for the company’s wind turbines in the area that have been in service for around 20 years to replace 117 of their 282 units with new 200 feet tall windmills that have fire suppression systems.
To help with financing the project, AES proposed a tax abatement application with Taylor County. In exchange, the county would theoretically see a kickback from AES, which would provide the county with around $7.4 million in funding as well as incentives like vehicles to county volunteer fire departments, EMS services, and the Sheriff’s Office over a 25-year period. County commissioners and Taylor County Judge Phil Crowley noted the 20-year history of the companies lack of communication and poor community partnership, as well as county residents’ concerns, leading to reluctance in signing off on another abatement.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Randy Williams also addressed his grievances with AES and highlighted one instances communication with the company was less desirable, pointing out that AES was asked to help purchase a water tanker for the purpose of supporting the volunteer fire departments and failed to respond.
At the time, AES representatives said if a deal with the county was not reached, they would not replace the old turbines and would decommission and tear down the old units. The removal of wind turbines primarily involves systematic dismantling using heavy cranes and specialized equipment, but blasting is also used as an alternative method for controlled felling of the tower structure in specific situations.
The method used depends on the turbine’s condition, location, and environmental regulations.
Decommissioning is the wind farm owner’ s responsibility and a requirement of all permits for wind farm development.