Pattern Energy signs PPAs for largest wind project in the U.S.

Pattern Energy Group LP (Pattern Energy) has signed long-term power purchase agreements with Shell Energy North America (US), L.P. and the University of California for its SunZia wind project. With over 3,500 MW of capacity, SunZia is the largest wind project in the Western Hemisphere.

Share:

Pattern Energy Group LP (Pattern Energy), a leader in renewable energy and transmission infrastructure, announced the signing of long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Shell Energy North America (US), L.P. (Shell Energy) and the University of California Regents for a portion of the power from its 3,500+ MW SunZia wind project.

Commissioning in 2026

Construction of SunZia Wind is expected to begin later this year and be completed in 2026, at which time it will begin supplying power to western energy markets. SunZia Transmission will open access to western energy markets for SunZia Wind, the largest wind project in the Western Hemisphere, which includes more than 3,500 MW of new wind facilities located in Torrance, Lincoln and San Miguel counties in New Mexico.

SunZia Transmission is a 550-mile, ±525 kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line between central New Mexico and south-central Arizona, with a transmission capacity of 3,000 MW of clean, renewable energy. SunZia Transmission will enable SunZia Wind to provide power to customers in Arizona and California during critical late evening hours when demand is high but available renewable energy supply is low.

The SunZia Wind and SunZia Transmission projects were developed with a strong focus on local community involvement and environmental preservation. A key initiative of SunZia has been to hold extensive consultations with local, regional and national conservation stakeholders. As a result of this commitment and consultation, SunZia Transmission is setting a precedent for environmental mitigation efforts in close collaboration with the environmental community. This ranges from restoring thousands of acres of wildlife habitat to investing in emerging technologies and long-term conservation research. SunZia Wind has implemented sound environmental best practices to reduce project impacts and explore effective habitat restoration strategies in partnership with local and state experts.

Economic advantage

Pattern Energy recently announced that the SunZia Transmission and SunZia Wind projects are expected to generate $20.5 billion in total economic benefits, including more than $8 billion in direct capital investment, at no additional cost to consumers, according to the results of an independent study by research firm Energy, Economic & Environment Consultants LLC.

Together, the projects will generate an expected $1.3 billion in fiscal impacts that will benefit governments, communities and schools. These benefits are generated through sales and use taxes, property taxes, community benefit payments, and property payments to federal and state agencies. The projects continue to work with federal agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), as well as local authorities and stakeholders, to finalize the remaining approvals to begin construction on schedule this year.

Ecopetrol S.A. finalises the acquisition of Wind Autogeneración from Enel S.A.S., thereby taking over the Windpeshi wind project in Colombia, with a planned capacity of 205 MW, aimed at the Colombian oil group's energy self-consumption.
Oceanic Wind Energy Inc. and Coast Tsimshian Enterprises Ltd. secured an exclusive investigative use permit in the Hecate Strait, paving the way for Canada's first major offshore wind project, targeting capacity of up to 700 MW.
German manufacturer Nordex will supply 13 N163/6.X wind turbines to developer SAB WindTeam for a 91 MW wind farm in Brandenburg, with commissioning scheduled for early 2027 and an extended 20-year service agreement.
EDF is delaying the start-up of the Calvados offshore wind farm by more than two years, citing extended adjustments to a drilling tool vital for installing the sixty-four monopile foundations off Courseulles-sur-Mer.
German company NeXtWind signs historic €1.4 billion debt financing to accelerate expansion and modernisation of its onshore wind farms and reach a total capacity of 3 GW by 2028.
Energy company TGS has won a major high-resolution geophysical imaging contract for offshore wind site characterization in Norway, strengthening its position in this rapidly growing market.
Iberdrola Australia secures crucial approval from Australian authorities to begin metocean studies for its 3GW Aurora Green offshore project off the coast of Victoria, marking a decisive stage in its development.
ENGIE begins full operation of the Red Sea Wind Energy wind farm in Egypt, increasing its capacity to 650 MW, four months ahead of schedule, now powering over one million homes in the region.
Tokyo Gas, through TOWII Renewables, a joint venture with EWII, purchases two onshore wind projects developed by Finnish company Puhuri, totalling 74.4 MW, marking its expansion beyond the Danish market.
The European Investment Bank grants EWE AG historic €450mn financing for the installation of 2,600 km of underground power lines and the upgrade of over 1,100 substations in Lower Saxony.
Japan’s Ministry of Industry and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy launch a strategic partnership to develop local offshore wind supply chains and strengthen the country's industrial competitiveness in this energy sector.
Energiekontor AG confirms financial close for the Nartum wind farm, adding 23 megawatts to its owned portfolio and starting the construction phase in the Rotenburg district, Lower Saxony.
Airloom Energy begins construction of a pilot site in Wyoming to test an innovative turbine aimed at enhancing American energy security in the face of anticipated growth in electricity demand.
ACCIONA Energía transfers the San Juan de Marcona wind farm to Luz del Sur S.A.A., a major player in Peru's energy sector, for up to USD 253 million, pending necessary regulatory approvals.
German operator Encavis AG strengthens its portfolio by acquiring two wind farms in Lower Saxony and Saxony, totalling 59 MW, in a transaction with Energiequelle GmbH, thereby expanding its renewable energy assets.
Ocergy officially launches an industrial project aiming to install by 2028 a new-generation floating wind turbine of over 15 MW, in partnership with EnBW, Kyuden Mirai, and TEPCO Renewable Power.
France officially commissions its first floating wind farm, consisting of three turbines with a combined capacity of 25 megawatts, introducing strategic technology in the Mediterranean, vital for national energy goals.
Inaugurated on 20 June, the five-turbine plant of wpd onshore France feeds 18 MW into the grid and unlocks new tax revenue for four Côtes-d’Armor municipalities.
Statkraft refocuses investments on flexible Nordic hydropower and reduces commitments in offshore wind and hydrogen to lower operating costs, amid an uncertain economic environment and pressured profitability.
Suzlon Group receives third consecutive order from AMPIN Energy Transition to supply 170.1 MW of wind turbines for a project in India's Andhra Pradesh state, strengthening their strategic industrial partnership.