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Last Update: 10/26/2026 at 11:33 PM EST
SunZia Project
Coverage from Vox, Pinalcentral, and others
SunZia combines a large wind-generation facility in New Mexico with a 550-mile high-voltage direct-current transmission line reaching customers in Arizona, California, and the wider Western grid.
The wind project uses roughly 916 turbines and has generation capacity of up to 3.65 gigawatts, while the transmission system is designed to move power across regions and manage flows with advanced HVDC equipment. Pattern Energy leads the project, with Hitachi Energy involved in transmission technology. Its operation also reflects the practical challenges of expanding clean power, including lengthy permitting, grid integration, wildlife protection, and route design.
Looking Back
189 Day Timeline
Apr 17
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All Articles13 articles
Important
Pattern Energy began operating the SunZia wind and transmission project in June in central New Mexico, delivering renewable electricity to customers in Arizona and California.
10/22/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Pattern Energy completed the SunZia wind and transmission project, sending electricity from New Mexico through Arizona toward California after years of planning and opposition.
9/10/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Mercury completed Kaiwera Downs Stage 2 near Gore, New Zealand, adding 155 megawatts and making the development the South Island's largest wind farm.
9/9/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Pattern Energy completed the SunZia transmission line in the 2020s, connecting 914 New Mexico wind turbines across the Western grid while incorporating measures to reduce bird and habitat impacts.
8/30/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Pattern Energy is preparing the 3,650 MW SunZia Wind Project in New Mexico for commercial operations in 2026 using high voltage DC transmission to supply Arizona and Southern California.
6/12/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Interesting
Salt River Project agreed in the 2020s to purchase 600 MW of SunZia wind power from Pattern Energy in New Mexico, with full deliveries by summer 2027 to expand Phoenix-area renewable supply.
7/9/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Pattern Energy Group and Hitachi Energy enabled SunZia Transmission to start operating in the western US, using HVDC Light to deliver 3 GW of wind power.
6/23/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Pattern Energy and Hitachi Energy announced SunZia Transmission is fully operational, using HVDC to transfer up to 3,000 MW of New Mexico wind power to Arizona and the western grid.
6/19/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Pattern Energy began power delivery from SunZia Wind in New Mexico to California via a 550-mile transmission line through Arizona as turbine testing approached commercial operations in 2024.
4/17/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Pattern Energy and SunZia began delivering wind power through the 550-mile SunZia SouthWest transmission line connecting New Mexico, Arizona, and California after 2023 construction.
4/17/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Pattern Energy opened the SunZia Wind and Transmission Project in 2023, linking a 3.6-gigawatt New Mexico wind farm to Arizona via a 550-mile high-voltage line.
6/18/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
CHPE and SunZia transmission projects began or are nearing full operation in 2024, moving Quebec hydropower and New Mexico wind to US cities to support decarbonization goals.
6/8/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Pattern Energy completed full operation of the SunZia wind project in 2020s, using 916 turbines and a 550-mile HVDC line from New Mexico to Arizona and Southern California.
6/18/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General