Texas, the top producer of wind power among U.S. states, will hold the nation's first competitive sale of leases for offshore wind-power facilities.

The state is seeking bids for four offshore tracts with a combined 73,098 acres, the Texas General Land Office said.

Texas overtook California as the top wind-power producing state last year, with wind turbines capable of generating 2,768 MW installed as of the end of 2006, according to the American Wind Energy Association.