GE Renewable Energy has announced a 1050 MW order for Pattern Energy's Western Spirit Wind farms in New Mexico. The 377-turbine order will power the equivalent of more than 590,000 homes.
Pattern Energy Group LP has completed financing and started the full construction process of its Western Spirit Transmission line and its suite of Western Spirit Wind power projects totaling more than 1,050 megawatts, located in Guadalupe, Lincoln and Torrance Counties in central New Mexico. The projects are targeted for commercial operation by the end of 2021. For further information see the IDTechEx report on Energy Harvesting Microwatt to Gigawatt: Opportunities 2020-2040.
"This is a big day for New Mexico as we ramp up more than a gigawatt of our Western Spirit Wind projects for the largest single-phase construction of renewable power in US history," said Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern Energy. "Tapping some of the best wind in the world, the Western Spirit Wind projects have a powerful generation profile with an evening peak that is a perfect complement to daytime solar and displaces the need for more expensive, ramping fossil fuels. New Mexico is home to some of the strongest winds in the country and Pattern Energy is committed to harnessing this natural power source to create more than one thousand new jobs and generate more than two billion dollars in net economic impact."
Western Spirit Wind will utilize turbines ranging from 2.3-2.8 in nameplate rating and will utilize various tower heights to optimize the wind capture for the project. Turbine deliveries have begun, with commercial operation planned before the end of 2021.
Tim White, CEO of GE Renewable Energy for Onshore Americas, said: "GE Renewable Energy is delighted to work with Pattern Energy on the Western Spirit Wind project, and continue our strong relationship. GE's 2 MW platform is extremely well suited to the region, with 98%+ availability to help ensure the reliability of sustainable, affordable, renewable energy delivery to the region. We are proud to be a part of helping New Mexico work toward its renewable energy goals."
Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern Energy, said: "Our turbine order with GE Renewable Energy is the next step in building one of the largest wind power facilities in New Mexico, helping the state to become a major renewable energy producer. Western Spirit Wind and the Western Spirit Transmission Line will bring more than a thousand construction jobs to New Mexico and billions of dollars in economic benefit, while creating a significant new source of clean power."
GE Energy Consulting provided a range of power system and equipment studies to Pattern Energy supporting the new transmission line, substations, series capacitor bank, and wind farm being installed. These studies are used to evaluate, size, and specify the transmission and power equipment and ensure proper operation of the overall system once installed.
GE's turbines will be used for Pattern Energy's suite of Western Spirit Wind projects, which now comprise over 1,000 MW of New Mexico wind energy slated for construction later this year, alongside construction of the Western Spirit Transmission Line, which is owned by the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority and being co-developed by Pattern Energy.
