Power

Pattern Energy launches clean energy transmission line in New Mexico

Pattern Energy

Pattern Energy, a top private developer of renewable energy assets, and the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority (RETA) launched the Western Spirit Transmission line operations this Monday.

Firstly, The Western Spirit Transmission line is a 155-mile; 345 kV transmission line that will collect up to 800 megawatts of wind power from central New Mexico to the electric grid; managed by the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) near Albuquerque.

Moreover, Pattern Energy and RETA developed the project jointly. In fact, the project took many years of feasibility evaluation, planning, permitting, design, land acquisition, financing, government agency coordination; and ultimately procurement, construction, testing, and operation.

In addition, the project will also enable the construction of Pattern Energy’s suite of Western Spirit Wind power projects; scheduled for completion at the end of December 2021. The project will total more than 1050MW of wind power capacity; representing the largest single-phase renewable power build-out in U.S. history.

Furthermore, the whole Western Spirit Wind project will occupy three locations: one in Guadalupe County, and the others in Lincoln, and Torrance in the central state.

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Pattern Energy near to complete Western Spirit Wind projects

In addition to reducing the need for burning natural gas for power generation, the project will reduce water withdrawal from lakes and rivers by 850 million gallons per year; water that would otherwise go for cooling thermal power plants.

On the other hand, Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern Energy said about the matter. “Wind power has already begun flowing on the line, and later this month, we will complete our Western Spirit Wind projects; the largest single-phase renewable energy build-out in U.S. history.”

He also remarked. “(By) utilizing this new line and other infrastructure (we will) bring on a full 1,050 MW of clean, renewable power. Thanks to New Mexico’s mighty winds, these nearly $2 billion projects created thousands of jobs, generated economic activity in rural areas, and will now generate pollution-free clean power for thousands of homes.”

Finally, Robert E. Busch, Chairman of RETA, commented. “Today marks a critical milestone to achieve the State of New Mexico’s vision of zero carbon emissions by 2045. After a decade of hard work, RETA is accomplishing what it was tasked to do. The completion of the Western Spirit transmission line and wind farms will be a major leap for New Mexico toward a clean energy future.”

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