Pattern Energy has completed construction and begun commercial operation of its 1050MW Western Spirit wind complex in the US state of New Mexico.
Western Spirit (pictured) is comprised of four wind farms located in Guadalupe, Lincoln and Torrance Counties.
The project has a total of 377 GE turbines installed ranging from 2.3MW to 2.8MW in size.
The GE hardware utilises various tower heights to optimise the wind capture at each facility, Pattern said.
Western Spirit Wind was developed by Pattern Energy, with Blattner Energy serving as the construction contractor for the projects.
Electricity generated by Western Spirit Wind will be delivered to California and New Mexico through long-term power purchase agreements with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, San Jose Clean Energy, East Bay Community Energy, California Choice Energy Authority and member cities, and international energy company Uniper Global Commodities.
Western Spirit Wind will also provide power to New Mexico municipalities, including Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities, through the Uniper Global Commodities power purchase agreement.
In December, Pattern Energy and the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority announced the completion of the Western Spirit transmission line, enabling the suite of Western Spirit wind projects to be connected to the grid.
Pattern Energy chief executive Mike Garland said: “Western Spirit Wind is a groundbreaking mega-project that demonstrates large-scale renewables can be developed and built in the US.
“These projects create significant job opportunities and local economic investments.
“Western Spirit brought over 1100 construction jobs to New Mexico, generated local spending, tax revenue and landowner payments in a remote area of New Mexico, and is now delivering enough renewable energy to meet the electricity needs of more than 900,000 Americans.
“The collaboration of our teams of workers around the state shows what can be achieved – building the largest single-phase wind project in U.S. history in less than one year – a truly remarkable achievement.
“This is just the beginning for New Mexico – Pattern Energy has committed to $6bn 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.”