SunZia Wind and Transmission

The SunZia Wind is a 3.5-gigawatt wind farm being developed by Pattern Energy in New Mexico, United States, near Corona in Lincoln County, San Miguel County and Torrance County, New Mexico. The wind project is paired with SunZia Transmission to carry the power to Arizona and California. Originally developed as the Corona Wind Projects along with the Western Spirit Wind Farm, it received unanimous approval October 5, 2018 by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC). The PRC rejected and requested that SunZia resubmit a more detailed application to build a 500-mile long transmission line (800 km) to carry the power from central New Mexico to Coolidge, AZ.[1][2][3][4]

SunZia Wind
CountryUnited States
LocationNew Mexico
Coordinates34°15′2″N 105°35′44″W
Statusplanned
Commission date2026 (planned)
Owner(s)Pattern Energy
Wind farm
TypeOnshore
Power generation
Nameplate capacity3.5 GW
External links
Websitepatternenergy.com/projects/sunzia/

The project includes at least 900 wind turbines.[5][6]

Pattern Energy previously purchased the rights to the Mesa Canyons Wind Farm from Clean Line Energy Partners in May 2018. The Mesa Canyons Wind Farm is a 1 GW wind farm just north of Corona. This combined with the Corona Wind Project gives the 3 GW of energy that is projected to be exported to the west via the SunZia power line.[3][7][8]

Pattern Energy bought the 3 GW SunZia 525 kV direct current transmission project in July 2022,[9] and signed a power purchase agreement with Shell and University of California in 2023.[10]

An ongoing case in Arizona Superior Court asks that SunZia's amended Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) for Arizona be voided.[11] The plaintiff’s final brief, filed June 22, 2023, states that the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) failed to adequately consider dramatic changes in the SunZia project. The plaintiff contends that the project’s original CEC, granted in 2015, was based on the benefits of an AC line. The amended CEC is for a DC line, which would not provide similar benefits to Arizona. The brief asks that SunZia’s amended CEC be voided and the decision be remanded to the ACC.[12][13]

Groundbreaking for the transmission line was held in September 2023.[14]

References
  1. SouthWestern Power Group (February 25, 2021). "SunZia Southwest Transmission Project, Annual Progress Report: 2021."  Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  2. Gavin Bade (October 12, 2018). "Largest wind project in hemisphere approved for New Mexico, but transmission tie in limbo". Utility Dive. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
  3. Kevin Robinson-Avila (July 5, 2018). "Pattern Energy harnesses NM's blustery gusts". AlburquerqueJournal. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  4. Hudson Sangree (October 10, 2018). "Tx Path Uncertain for Massive New Mexico Wind Farm". RTO Insider. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  5. Lewis, Michelle (May 4, 2023). "The US' largest clean energy infrastructure project is kicking off construction". Electrek. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  6. Joshua S Hill (October 5, 2018). "New Mexico Approves Pattern Energy's 2.2 Gigawatt Corona Wind Projects Plan". Clean Technica. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
  7. Corina Rivera Linares (May 24, 2018). "Pattern Development spokesperson: Western Spirit line, Mesa Canyons wind project on track to begin construction in 2019". Transmission Hub. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  8. Michelle Froese (May 21, 2018). "Pattern Development acquires Mesa Canyons Wind Farm and Western Spirit Transmission Line". Windpower Engineering and Development. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  9. "Pattern Energy buys 3-GW SunZia transmission project to deliver wind energy from New Mexico to Arizona". Utility Dive. July 18, 2022.
  10. Jenkinson, Orlando. "Shell and University of California sign PPAs with 3.5GW SunZia wind farm". www.windpowermonthly.com.
  11. "Civil Court Case Information - Case History". www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  12. Sawyer, Abigail (April 7, 2023). "Pattern Expects May Approval for SunZia Line, Despite Looming Arizona Lawsuit". NewsData, LLC. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  13. Else v. Arizona Corporation Commission. Arizona Superior Court, Case No.: CV2023-050310. Final Reply Brief, June 22, 2023. (Appeal pursuant to A.R.S. § 40-254, Preferential civil matter pursuant to A.R.S. § 40-255.) Assigned to: The Honorable Melissa Iyer Julian.
  14. Bryan, Susan Montoya (September 1, 2023). "Powered by wind, this $10B transmission line will carry more energy than the Hoover Dam". AP News. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
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