The Western Spirit Wind project, a 1,050-megawatt (MW) onshore wind construction spread across three counties in central New Mexico, reached commercial operations in January 2022. The development comprises four individual wind farms spanning Guadalupe, Lincoln, and Torrance Counties.
Together, they generate enough electricity to power approximately 365,000 homes annually. Pattern Energy Group and the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority (RETA) jointly developed and delivered the project, marking one of the largest wind energy builds in the state’s history at that time.
Western Spirit Wind Project Current Status Update
The Western Spirit Wind project continues to operate at full capacity in 2026, delivering reliable clean energy to New Mexico and California. However, Pattern Energy has since surpassed this achievement on a far greater scale.
The same developer completed the SunZia Wind Farm in June 2026 also in New Mexico establishing it as the largest onshore wind project ever built in United States history. The $11 billion SunZia facility delivers 3,650 MW of capacity more than three times the output of Western Spirit and now powers approximately one million American homes every year. Western Spirit effectively laid the groundwork for Pattern Energy’s expanded footprint in New Mexico’s wind-rich Estancia Valley, demonstrating the region’s viability for utility-scale renewable energy construction long before SunZia broke ground.
Western Spirit Wind power is centered around four wind power facilities, located in Guadalupe, Lincoln, and Torrance Counties in central New Mexico. The four wind power facilities are all connected by a 155-mile 345 kV transmission line, developed jointly by Pattern Energy and RETA. A total of 377 GE wind turbines were used for the project, with sizes ranging between 2.3 to 2.8 MW and they were built with different tower heights, in order to enhance the wind capture at each facility.
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Western Spirit Wind power projects brings over 50 jobs in operations and maintenance
The Western Spirit Wind in New Mexico supplies power through the transmission line to an electric grid, which is run by the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM); the owners and operators of the transmission line. According to the CEO of Pattern Energy, Mike Garland, the project created up to 1,100 construction jobs over the course of the 15-month construction phase and subsequently, employment opportunities will be available for over 50 workers to handle operations and maintenance of the facilities.
Other officials also mentioned that the Western Spirit Wind projects would be beneficial to the economic growth of the neighborhood, and are projected to give an expected $3 million each year for the three regions and two school areas within the project’s vicinity. The company also plans to make a $6 billion investment in wind energy and other related infrastructure projects over the next ten years, which will bring in more tax revenue incentives.
The Western Spirit Wind project was developed with the goal of providing clean, renewable energy to California and New Mexico and this is to be achieved through long-term electricity supply agreement with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, San José Clean Energy, East Bay Community Energy, California Choice Energy Authority and member cities, and international energy company Uniper Global Commodities.
Project Fact Sheet
Project Name: Western Spirit Wind Power Project
Location: Guadalupe, Lincoln, and Torrance Counties, central New Mexico, United States
Project Type: Onshore wind farm complex comprising four individual wind facilities
Total Installed Capacity: Over 1,050 MW combined across all four wind farms
Number of Wind Turbines: 377 GE wind turbines
Turbine Sizes: Ranging from 2.3 MW to 2.8 MW per turbine
Tower Heights: Varied across facilities to maximize wind capture at each site
Transmission Infrastructure: 155-mile 345 kV transmission line connecting all four facilities to the grid
Transmission Owner and Operator: Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM)
Commercial Operations Date: January 2022
Construction Duration: Approximately 15 months
Homes Powered: Approximately 365,000 homes annually
Construction Jobs Created: Up to 1,100 jobs at peak construction activity
Permanent Jobs Created: Over 50 full-time operations and maintenance positions
Annual Economic Contribution: Approximately $3 million per year to three counties and two school districts within the project area
Power Purchase Agreements: Long-term electricity supply agreements with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), San José Clean Energy, East Bay Community Energy, California Choice Energy Authority and member cities, and Uniper Global Commodities
Primary Energy Markets Served: California and New Mexico
Developer’s 10-Year Investment Plan (announced 2022): $6 billion committed to wind energy and related infrastructure projects across the US
Project Team
Developer and Co-Owner: Pattern Energy Group LP — San Francisco-based US renewable energy developer; led development, financing, and construction of the Western Spirit Wind project
Co-Owner and Transmission Partner: New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority (RETA) — co-developed the 155-mile 345 kV transmission line alongside Pattern Energy
Turbine Supplier: GE Renewable Energy — supplied all 377 wind turbines across the four facilities, ranging from 2.3 MW to 2.8 MW
Transmission Grid Operator: Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) — owns and operates the transmission line connecting Western Spirit Wind to the electric grid
Power Offtakers:
- Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)
- San José Clean Energy
- East Bay Community Energy (EBCE)
- California Choice Energy Authority and member cities
- Uniper Global Commodities — international energy company
Regulatory Jurisdiction: New Mexico Public Regulation Commission
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