Pattern Energy Group LP reached a financial close and started construction of its 1,050-MW Western Spirit Wind Projects after signing agreements with GE Renewable Energy and GE Energy Financial Services.
The full project includes a suite of wind farms, located in Guadalupe, Lincoln and Torrance Counties, N.M., plus a 150-mile, 345-kV transmission line. Pattern Energy and the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority are jointly building the transmission line that will be interconnected directly into PNM Resources Inc. subsidiary Public Service Co. of New Mexico’s transmission system, Pattern said in a Jan. 4 press release. Pattern said it will acquire and operate the transmission line upon its completion.
Pattern Energy has also started the construction of the wind farms, which it identified as the 349-MW Red Cloud, 324-MW Clines Corners Wind Farm, 272-MW Tecolote and 105-MW Duran Mesa Wind Farm (Corona Wind Project) facilities. They are part of a larger group of wind developments known as the Corona Wind projects.
General Electric Co.’s wind manufacturing subsidiary said in a separate press release that the supply of 377 wind turbines, in 2.3-MW to 2.8-MW operating mode, has already begun. The wind farms are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021. The contract also includes a 10-year full-service agreement.
Additionally, GE Energy Financial Services underwrote and will provide a portion of the tax equity to the project.