SunZia Transmission Waited 16 Years
After over 16 years of jumping regulatory hoops and an investment of more than $8 billion, Pattern Energy, owned by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, says full construction is expected to start in 2023 on its SunZia Transmission and wind project. Two separate unanimous approvals from the New Mexico Public Regulatory Commission, combined with recent approval from the Arizona Corporation Commission, paved the way for construction to finally begin on a 550-mile interstate transmission line project.
Pattern Energy intends to commence construction on the two projects in 2023 and start operations at SunZia Transmission in 2025 and at SunZia Wind in early 2026.
“It’s nice to see the project coming to fruition,” Barbara Sultemeier, a local rancher who will host SunZia Wind, said in a press release. “Our community has been anticipating this project and the benefits it will provide for some time, and we are pleased to see the economic impact, not only from the direct investment but also jobs for area workers.”
Wind Turbines Billion Dollar Economic Windfall
According to the results of an independent study conducted by research firm Energy, Economic & Environment Consultants LLC., the SunZia development plan will have a $20.5 billion in economic impact for Arizona and New Mexico. When the project is complete, it will be the largest clean energy infrastructure project in U.S. history and will enable more than 2.5 million Americans to access more than 3,000MW of clean, reliable and affordable power.