Pattern Energy Group has completed the acquisition of the up to 1GW Clines Corners wind power development opportunity in the US state of New Mexico from Orion Wind Power Resources for an undisclosed price.
The projects could be built on 49,000 hectares of land in Torrance and Guadalupe Counties.
Pattern said it will add the southernmost portion of the development opportunity, totalling 325MW, to its suite of Western Spirit wind projects, which now comprise over 1GW.
The wind farm developments are 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.
The remaining portion of the acquisition could add up to 650MW to Pattern Energy’s suite of projects intended to connect to the SunZia transmission line.
Pattern Energy chief executive Mike Garland said: “Pattern Energy is expanding its commitment to New Mexico by increasing its investment in clean power, helping to build the state into a major renewable energy producer and benefitting New Mexico for generations.
“As the leading wind company in New Mexico, we are proud to be helping position the state as a leader in wind energy.”
The latest acquisition means Pattern Energy now has more than 4GW of New Mexico wind in development, representing over $8bn of planned investments.
Garland added: “We are proud of the $1.6bn in economic benefit we brought to New Mexico over the past three years with Broadview and Grady Wind.
“The Broadview and Grady Wind projects were the largest in the state’s history at 544MW and we expect to far surpass that with our new Western Spirit Wind projects.”
Orion chief development officer Nicholas Hiza said: “We are pleased to be working with Pattern Energy and look forward to seeing the Clines Corners wind farm constructed, along with the benefits that it will bring to landowners, the county and the region.
“Orion and MAP have been working together for more than 15 years to create projects that transform the energy economy and invigorate rural communities.”
Pattern said full construction on more than 1GW of Pattern Energy’s Western Spirit wind projects will ramp up in 2020 together with the Western Spirit transmission line.