Pattern Energy, one of the world’s largest privately-owned developers and operators of wind, solar, transmission, and energy storage projects, announced this Tuesday it completed the construction and began commercial operations of the Western Spirit Wind projects.
Firstly, Western Spirit Wind includes four wind power facilities totaling more than 1,050 megawatts (MW); located in Guadalupe, Lincoln, and Torrance Counties in central New Mexico. Due to its massive size, the project is the largest single-Phase renewable energy project in US history.
Moreover, the four wind power facilities that encompass Western Spirit use a total of 377 GE wind turbines, ranging from 2.3 to 2.8 MW in size. The GE turbines utilize various tower heights to optimize the wind capture at each facility.
In addition, Pattern Energy developed the project, while Blattner Energy served as the construction contractor for the projects. During the 15-month period of construction, around 1,100 people worked at the site; including heavy equipment operators, electricians, laborers, and others. Going forward, more than 50 workers will operate and maintain the Western Spirit Wind facilities in New Mexico.
Consequently, the Western Spirit Wind project will deliver lasting benefits for the local area and will provide around $3 million per year for the three counties and two school districts in the project area. This stable and long-term funding will directly contribute to improving education, services, roads, and first responder capabilities for the entire community.
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Pattern Energy to continue investing in the state
Furthermore, the project will also provide clean, renewable energy to California and New Mexico; it would do so through power purchase agreements with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power; San José Clean Energy, East Bay Community Energy, California Choice Energy Authority; as well as international energy company Uniper Global Commodities.
Additionally, it will also provide power to New Mexico municipalities; including Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities, through the Uniper Global Commodities power purchase agreement. US Senator Martin Heinrich said, “The largest renewable energy project in American history is now up and running; right here in New Mexico.”
He also remarked. “This project literally changed the map of our state’s energy landscape, allowing New Mexico to help power our nation with clean electrons.”
Finally, Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern Energy, said. “Pattern Energy has committed to $6 billion in upcoming wind energy and related infrastructure projects in the state over the next decade. Together, we are building a cleaner and more sustainable future in New Mexico.”
