New Mexico to Host Largest U.S. Windfarm

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Written by Daniel Graeber for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

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Summary

The SunZia windfarm, spread out over three counties in New Mexico, will be the largest of its kind in the United States once commercial operations begin later this month. That comes amid a fight against renewables from U.S. President Donald Trump.

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SunZia Online by End of June

With slightly more than 3.6 gigawatts (GW) of power coming online later this month, the SunZia Windfarm in New Mexico will have more power capacity than the next two largest windfarms combined, the U.S. Department of Energy said.

Industrial Info Resources is tracking the $2 billion project from Pattern Energy Group, which is leading the development. According to Industrial Info Resources' data, the facility has a peak power capacity of 3,776.4 megawatts (MW) from a site in Corona, New Mexico.

Industrial Info Resources offers more information on SunZia in its Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Power Plant and Project databases, where readers can find details--including construction schedules, investment values and necessary equipment--in a plant profile and project report.

Expected online before the month is out, SunZia boasts a nameplate capacity that's more than the next two largest windfarms combined--the 1,098-MW Alta Wind facility in California and the 1,027-MW Great Prairie plant in Texas. Readers can consult detailed profiles of the Alta Wind and Great Prairie facilities.

Construction on SunZia started in 2023, after nearly two decades of permitting and planning, and some of the turbines started spinning during a testing phase in April. The 916 turbines are spread out over three counties in New Mexico.

"With this addition, wind accounts for 45% of the (energy) capacity mix in the state, followed by 19% from solar and 19% from natural gas capacity," the U.S. Energy Information Administration, part of the Energy Department, reported last week.

The Energy Transition Act in New Mexico set a goal of powering 50% of its economy with renewable energy by 2030 and reaching a net-zero economy by 2045. Nationally, natural gas and coal account for the vast majority of the energy on the grid, though wind is No. 1 in terms of renewable energy.

By the Numbers

• 3,776.4 megawatts of electricity from SunZia
• 2% annual decline in coal-fired power generation

Renewables Meeting Heightened Energy Demand

This summer is expected to be warmer than last year, with the Energy Department forecasting a 3% annual increase in the number of "cooling degree days," which most often are specified as days warmer than 65 degrees Fahrenheit on average. That, in turn, points to a 3% increase in demand for electricity.

"We expect the increase will be met almost entirely by increased generation from renewable fuel sources," the EIA stated. Among all the renewable resources, wind energy is accelerating the most, with a 10% annual increase expected.

Texas leads the way in onshore wind power generation nationally, with the rest of the southwest close behind.

The Energy Department, in a monthly market report for June, forecast a 2% annual decline in coal-fired power generation. That came as President Donald Trump set aside $685 million to prop up the coal sector.

According to Industrial Info Resources data, there are more than 200 active coal-fired power projects in the U.S., with a total investment value of more than $20 billion. About half of this total is attributed to projects related to environmental compliance, and about $4.9 billion are related to plant closures. Readers can consult a list of project reports.

Trump has made no secret of his disdain for clean energy. In response, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul led a coalition of six states, all led by Democrats, in suing the Trump administration over a taxpayer bailout for French energy major TotalEnergies to abandon the U.S. offshore wind energy sector.

TotalEnergies in March signed a settlement with the U.S. Department of the Interior to forfeit leases awarded in 2022 to develop wind energy off the coast of the Carolinas and New York. In exchange, the Justice Department gave TotalEnergies back the $928 million it paid to secure the leases during President Joe Biden's tenure.

"This pay-not-to-play scheme pressuring a foreign company to forego planned offshore wind projects in America in favor of gas and oil drilling is an outrageous abuse of taxpayer dollars that hurts our ability to meet our energy needs, create good jobs, and help secure American energy independence while reducing emissions," the governor said June 2.

Key Takeaways

• Wind energy gaining traction despite political obstacles
• Texas leads the nation in wind power capacity

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About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news, and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing, and energy-related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified, and verified plant and project opportunities. Across the world, Industrial Info Resources is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 trillion (USD).