Massive SunZia Wind Project Raises $11 Billion, Starts Building
- Project took more than 17 years to begin construction
- Grid experts say US needs much more electric transmission
It took more than 17 years for SunZia to gain approvals and begin building, highlighting the difficulty of building transmission lines in the US.
Photographer: Minesh Bacrania/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
A wind farm and transmission line billed as the largest clean energy project in US history has secured $11 billion in financing and started construction.
Pattern Energy Group LP said Wednesday it closed on financing that includes about $8.8 billion in construction and term facilities and $2.25 billion in tax equity for the 3.5 gigawatt SunZia wind farm in New Mexico and 550-mile transmission line carrying electricity to Arizona. Pattern was bought by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board in 2020.