SunZia Transmission, Pattern Energy’s transmission project, is completing the Arizona permitting process. SunZia Wind also receives approval from New Mexico for a 3500MW wind project.
Private-public collaboration
SunZia Transmission and SunZia Wind are two projects of Pattern Energy. In addition, SunZia Wind is the largest wind power project in the Western Hemisphere. The transmission project consists of 550 miles of high voltage direct current line between New Mexico and Arizona.
SunZia Wind will be able to transport 3000MW of renewable energy. Together, the projects represent the largest renewable energy infrastructure project in U.S. history. They require an investment of more than $8 billion, exclusively private, and will supply 3 million Americans.
During the development of SunZia projects, the managers work in collaboration with the public sector. Indeed, the two projects collaborate notably the Bureau of Land Management. Thus the objective is to minimize the environmental impact of the project.
Minimize environmental impact
The project route will benefit from an initial approval in 2015. However, following a collaboration with the Ministry of Defense, the route is evolving. This modification also minimizes the environmental impact by partially paralleling an existing line.
Finally, the local authorities are willing to collaborate, aware of the economic spin-offs induced by these projects. In this regard, Mignonne Hollis, executive director of the Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation, states:
“This project has great economic benefits with over 2,000 construction jobs and up to 150 permanent jobs, which for our rural communities is a lifeline.”
The SunZia project managers aim to start construction in 2023.
Pattern Energy is a leading developer and operator of wind, solar, transmission and energy storage projects. The company has an operational portfolio of 35 renewable energy facilities. The company has nearly 6000MW of capacity in the United States, Canada, Japan and Mexico.
