California-based renewable energy developer Pattern Energy recently acquired rights to a transmission-line project to connect its New Mexico wind farms with larger markets in the West.
The company has invested billions of dollars in its extensive wind farms located in an east-central area of New Mexico, a recent KRQE news release said. The SunZia transmission line will transmit more than 3,000 megawatts of wind power, capable of meeting the electrical needs of over 2.5 million people.
“We are creating and implementing the largest clean energy infrastructure project in American history, demonstrating the vast potential of New Mexico’s wind power and the regions’ ability to bring large interstate infrastructure to reality,” Pattern Energy CEO Mike Garland told KRQE.
Pattern Energy acquired the project from SouthWestern Power Group for an undisclosed sum, the release said. But Pattern did note that the total investment for both the transmission line and the wind farms would be $8 billion.
Final government approval is predicted to be received by next spring. Development of the transmission line is expected to be complete in 2025 and the wind farm in 2026.
The project is expected to create 150 jobs once both developments are fully up and running.