Largest wind farm in the United States slated to begin commercial operations

[Hamartia Antidote]

Largest wind farm in the United States slated to begin commercial operations - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

www.eia.gov

The SunZia Wind Project, the largest wind farm in the United States, is slated to begin commercial operations this month. The wind farm, located in New Mexico, has a total net summer generating capacity of 3,650 megawatts (MW) and is composed of 916 wind turbines. SunZia’s capacity is more than three times larger than the next two largest wind farms, Alta Wind in Southern California (1,098 MW) and Great Prairie in northern Texas (1,027 MW). The SunZia Wind Project works with a high voltage transmission line to deliver the wind power generated to Arizona and California.

Pattern Energy started construction of the SunZia Wind Project in 2023, after almost two decades of permitting and planning. The wind farm spans three counties. The northern part of SunZia located in San Miguel and Lincoln counties has 242 turbines, while the southern part in Lincoln and Torrance counties has 674 turbines. By April 2026, some of the wind turbines were producing power and contributing to the grid during a testing phase.

Before the SunZia Wind Project came online, net summer wind generating capacity in New Mexico totaled 3,997 MW. The new capacity from SunZia will bring total wind capacity in New Mexico up to 7,647 MW. With this addition, wind accounts for 45% of the capacity mix in the state, followed by 19% from solar and 19% from natural gas capacity.

Most of the electricity generated at SunZia will be exported to Arizona and to Southern California. To be able to export the power generated by this project, Pattern Energy also built the SunZia Transmission Project—a 550-mile high voltage direct current transmission line that goes from the SunZia Wind Project site in central New Mexico to south-central Arizona. Of the SunZia transmission line’s 3,021 MW of power capacity, 2,131 MW will be delivered and consumed in Southern California via the Palo Verde Substation.

Generation from the SunZia Wind Project is reported by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) in EIA's Hourly Electric Grid Monitor. On May 15, 2026, CAISO reported 7,122 MW of hourly wind generation, which is 20% higher than the previous annual record of 5,922 MW in 2024.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

How many of the turbines will actually be operating at any given time?

Surprised the Sierra Club and others haven't managed to shut this down.

The wind farm in the Palm Springs area has well over half its windmills offline.

 

[atmi_bum]

How many of the turbines will actually be operating at any given time?

Surprised the Sierra Club and others haven't managed to shut this down.

The wind farm in the Palm Springs area has well over half its windmills offline.

Why would the Sierra Club oppose wind farms? Are they against renewable energy? Odd.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Why would the Sierra Club oppose wind farms? Are they against renewable energy? Odd.

Birds.

They care more about birds than they do renewable energy.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Birds.

They care more about birds than they do renewable energy.

Oddly the super liberals in the Massachusetts chapter wanted offshore wind farms to be built as quick as possible.

Sierra Club Massachusetts Responds to Nantucket’s Vineyard Wind 1 Grievances

NANTUCKET, Ma. – This week, the town of Nantucket hosted a press conference to share concerns about the Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind project and demands for Avangrid, the project developer. Vineyard Wind 1 is already providing power for local homes and businesses. Once construction is...

www.sierraclub.org

Sierra Club Massachusetts Responds to Nantucket’s Vineyard Wind 1 Grievances​

July 31, 2025
NANTUCKET, Ma. – This week, the town of Nantucket hosted a press conference to share concerns about the Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind project and demands for Avangrid, the project developer.

Vineyard Wind 1 is already providing power for local homes and businesses. Once construction is completed, the 62 turbines will generate 806 megawatts of electricity and power over 400,000 homes. Vineyard Wind 1 is estimated to save New England $3.7 billion in energy costs over the project’s lifetime.

“We are disappointed in the town of Nantucket's actions but empathize with the community’s concerns and encourage Vineyard Wind to respond constructively,”said Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter Director Vick Mohanka. “We unequivocally support building more offshore wind as fast as possible. Responsible development – mitigating adverse impacts, delivering community benefits, and being a good neighbor – is key to a just transition that protects workers, communities, and our valuable natural resources."

“We respect that communities like Nantucket want to be heard, but let’s not lose sight of what’s at stake,” added Xavier Boatright, Deputy Legislative Director for Clean Energy and Electrification at the Sierra Club. “Vineyard Wind isn’t just steel in the water, it’s hope on the horizon. Projects like Vineyard Wind are already lowering energy costs, creating high-quality jobs, and helping New England compete in a global clean energy race we can’t afford to lose. The world isn’t waiting, and neither should we. The path forward isn’t to stall progress, it’s to build responsibly, listen carefully, engage meaningfully, and lead boldly.”

March 14, 2026

Vineyard Wind, country's first large-scale offshore wind project, finishes construction

After years of starts and stops, construction on Vineyard Wind, the country's first large-scale offshore wind project, wrapped up this week.

www.wbur.org

Vineyard Wind, country's first large-scale offshore wind project, finishes construction​

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Now let's see if this pays off.