ENERGY
Largest wind project in the US comes online in New Mexico
The SunZia Wind Project features more than 900 turbines that will power homes in Arizona, California
The largest wind project in the nation came online in New Mexico this month, doubling local wind-generating capacity and sending power to homes in western states.
The SunZia Wind Project is more than three times the size of the next two largest wind farms, Alta Wind Energy Center in California and Great Prairie Wind Farm in Texas, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said on Friday.
SunZia, developed by California-based Pattern Energy Group, features more than 900 turbines and generates 3,650 megawatts of power, which will supply about one million homes.
Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., praised the project鈥檚 completion on Monday, saying it has been a priority of his since entering office in 2013.
鈥淭hrough a whole series of obstacles spanning over a decade and a half, we kept working to move it forward because we knew what it could mean for America鈥檚 energy future and New Mexico鈥檚 role in leading it,鈥� Heinrich said in a statement to the Journal.
June marks the beginning of the project鈥檚 commercial operations after nearly two decades of permitting and planning. Pattern started constructing the $11 billion project in 2023, and some wind turbines were producing power around April 2026 during a testing phase.
In New Mexico, wind makes up 45% of the total power capacity mix with the addition of the project, according to the EIA. The remaining installed generating capacity is primarily split between solar at roughly 19% and natural gas, which also accounts for about 19%.
The power generated by the SunZia project spans three counties, including San Miguel County with nearly 250 turbines and Lincoln and Torrance counties with almost 700. The power generated by those turbines will reach central Arizona and Southern California through a 550-mile transmission line, about 350 miles of which crosses through central and western New Mexico.
Lynn Mostoller, executive director of the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority, a public body created by the state Legislature that worked with Pattern on the SunZia project, called the beginning of commercial operations a 鈥渢remendous milestone.鈥�
鈥淥ur renewable wind resource is getting exported to the West and helping western states reach their renewable portfolio goals,鈥� Mostoller said.
The SunZia project鈥檚 commercial launch also comes at a critical time for renewable energy developers, who have faced waning federal tax incentives and permitting delays. Last month, the Associated Press, citing the American Clean Power Association, reported that the Pentagon has stalled the development of more than 250 onshore wind farms on private lands because it failed to complete national security reviews.
But SunZia鈥檚 developer has pointed to the project鈥檚 economic benefits, including the creation of more than 2,000 jobs at peak construction and more than 100 long-term operational jobs. The company also said the project will have a $20 billion economic impact on New Mexico and Arizona, of which $1.3 billion will go toward direct payments to local schools, governments and private landowners.
Heinrich used the moment to call for permitting reform, noting that SunZia took 18 years from planning to operation.
鈥淚f we want more projects like SunZia that lower costs, strengthen our energy security and create good-paying jobs people can build their families around, we need a permitting system that gets to yes 鈥� or no 鈥� faster while maintaining strong environmental standards and meaningful community engagement,鈥� he said.
Keelin Fisher is a business reporter for the Journal. You can reach her at kfisher@abqjournal.com.
