On July 27, Terra-Gen Power broke ground in Mojave, Calif., USA, on the world's largest wind energy project, the Alta Wind Energy Center (AWEC). When completed, AWEC will have the capacity to generate 1,550 MW of renewable energy — nearly double the capacity of the largest existing wind energy project and enough to supply power to 1.1 million people, or the equivalent of 275,000 home
The Alta projects are expected to create more than 3,000 domestic manufacturing, construction and operation and maintenance jobs, and contribute more than $1.2 billion to the local economy in Kern County, Calif.
The Terra-Gen project will ultimately include nearly 600 wind turbines. One of the first suppliers announced for the project is Vestas Wind Systems AS (Randers, Denmark), which will provide 190 of its V90-3.0 MW turbines (570 MW total). Terra-Gen’s V90-3.0 MW purchase is Vestas’ largest order for a single site. Blades for the Vestas order will be manufactured at the company's' facility in Windsor, Colo., USA; most of the towers will come from Vestas' plant in Pueblo, Colo., USA.
State, local and Federal officials joined members of the Terra-Gen team for the groundbreaking event. AWEC will increase wind industry jobs in California by 20 percent, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 52 million metric tons, which is equivalent to taking 446,000 cars off the road. AWEC will increase the installed wind power capacity in California by 25 percent and conserve more than 888 million gallons of water annually.
"All of us at Terra-Gen are proud of the immense contribution that the Alta Wind Energy Center project will make to Americaís clean energy economy," said Terra-Gen Power CEO Jim Pagano. "AWEC will create a record-breaking amount of domestic wind energy, securing America's energy independence while protecting our natural resources for future generations."
Denise Bode, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA, Washington, D.C.) issued a short statement on the role of California's ambitious renewable standard in fostering this important project: "We hope our friends in the U.S. Congress will take notice of the clear demonstration that Terra-Gen Power's Alta projects provide of the power of strong renewable portfolio standards to create jobs and grow the economy."
