Pattern Energy, world leader developer and operator of renewable energy assets, announced this Monday it signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Uniper an international energy company with around 12,000 employees in more than 40 countries.
Firstly, the PPA is a long-term agreement, for 15 years. It is for the purchase of 219,000. Megawatt-hours per year of wind energy in New Mexico. Such power will come out from Pattern Energy’s 1,050 MW Western Spirit Wind project, currently under construction.
Secondly, the energy purchased would be enough to power more than 20,000 homes annually. The agreement, on the other hand, represents the largest single-phase renewable power build out in U.S. history.
Thirdly, the Western Spirit Wind is expected to be fully constructed by the end of 2021. In fact, the facility is under construction in conjunction with the Western Spirit Transmission Line; which is a 150-mile 345kV AC transmission line that will add further accessibility to the grid of New Mexico.
Moreover, the transmission line is under development by a joint venture between Pattern Energy and the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority (RETA). It will interconnect directly into the Public Service Company of New Mexico system (PNM); which will acquire and operate the transmission line upon its commissioning.
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Pattern Energy building the largest wind energy project in N.A.
In addition, about the relevance of the project, Marc Merrill, CEO of Uniper North America said. “A large part of our business is about helping communities; also, municipalities, cooperatives, utility companies; also commercial and industrial loads achieve their energy decarbonization objectives in a cost-effective manner.”
He also added. “We provide customized energy solutions that collectively address both reliability-of-supply and environmental concerns; which is why we’re happy to be working with Pattern Energy to bring additional renewable generation benefits to New Mexico; and also other western states.”
On the other hand, Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern Energy, said. “We welcome this partnership with Uniper; we look forward to providing New Mexico wind power to New Mexico consumers from our new Western Spirit Wind project.”
Finally, he remarked. “Construction on Western Spirit Wind – the largest wind project in North America – is on schedule with 1,000 workers on site. The wind resource at Western Spirit Wind is one of the strongest in the country; and has also an evening ramp that creates an ideal complement to daytime solar power.”
