Pattern Energy Group has closed financing and started work on the repowering of the 271MW Gulf Wind facility located in Texas.
Repowering will see the current turbines removed and replaced with 118 Siemens Gamesa 2.3-108 machines, each with 108-metre blades on 80-metre towers.
Pattern said the project, located in Kenedy County and operational since 2009, has entered into a new 20-year power purchase agreement with Austin Energy for the majority of the facility’s electricity production.
The remaining output will be sold at merchant power prices, the company said.
Gulf Wind is expected to contribute approximately $90m to the local economy through tax and landowner payments.
It is located on 3884 hectares of land leased from the Kenedy Memorial Foundation.
Pattern Energy president and chief executive Mike Garland said: “Repowering Gulf Wind with brand new turbines made strong economic sense due to its unique location on the Gulf Coast, where the winds blow strongest at the times of Texas’ peak energy demand and pricing.
“Gulf Wind was our first wind power facility and technology has improved rapidly since it first began operating over a decade ago.
“By installing the latest technology turbines, we expect the repowered facility to have more efficient production, lower operating costs, renewed production tax credits and longer life which combine to increase the long-term value of our fleet.”
Siemens Gamesa onshore Americas chief executive Jose Antonio Miranda said: “Repowering provides an opportunity to increase the efficiency, reliability and longevity of existing wind farms.
“We have a long-standing partnership with Pattern Energy and are excited to bring new life to the Gulf Wind facility.”