The Alta Wind Energy Center (AWEC), also known as the Mojave Wind Farm, serves as a beacon of hope in the battle against climate change, providing essential renewable energy to numerous households in California. Nestled in the Tehachapi Mountains of Kern County, this wind energy project is not only the largest in America but also the second-largest onshore wind energy facility in the world.
With its remarkable capacity to generate huge amounts of clean energy, AWEC plays a crucial role in supporting the energy needs of over 500,000 households.
Alta Wind Energy Center: A history of its construction and development
Initiated in July 2010 and primarily owned by U.S. developer Terra-Gen Power, AWEC encompasses an expansive area of 3,200 acres and is equipped with 600 wind turbines.
The construction of AWEC was carried out in multiple phases, with units I to V completed in April 2011. Subsequent units continued to come online, with units VI and VIII finished by late 2011, followed by units VII and IX in December 2012. The final phases—units X and XI—were wrapped up in 2013, culminating in a total generating capacity of 1,547 megawatts.
At first, the project encountered setbacks when the Australian infrastructure fund, Allco Finance Group, withdrew its plans as a result of bankruptcy in 2008. Terra-Gen stepped in, purchasing the project for $325 million and revitalizing it into a landmark wind energy initiative.
Financing for AWEC was carefully arranged in segments, with initial funding secured for unit I in March 2010, amounting to $394 million. Subsequent phases drew investments from major financial institutions—including Citibank and Barclays Capital—with Google also contributing to units IV and V. Such as it was, the financial structure for the various units involved intricate arrangements of loans and grants, emphasizing the project’s significant economic scale.
AWEC: Behind the project’s infrastructure and technology
The wind farm is designed to deliver an impressive 1,550 megawatts of renewable energy to South California Edison for over 25 years. This initiative is part of a larger 3,000-megawatt wind power development project aimed at transforming the energy landscape in California.
AEWC’s infrastructure is comprehensive: it features both overhead and underground transmission lines, substations, and service roads that support operations. The wind turbines, strategically installed at elevations between 3,000 and 6,000 feet, are designed to effectively harness the region’s robust wind resources.
Featuring cutting-edge installations from General Electric and Vestas, the turbines are optimized for peak wind energy production, substantially contributing to the state’s renewable energy goals.
The environmental impact of AWEC and what it means for America
AWEC is making progress toward lowering carbon dioxide emissions. By producing clean energy, the project is estimated to prevent 5.2 million metric tons of these emissions, showcasing a huge step towards a sustainable future.
This reduction is crucial as the world grapples with the impact of climate change and seeks cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels.
Moreover, this project not only emphasizes wind energy generation but also integrates advanced technology for monitoring and compliance. Terra-Gen enlisted POWER for engineering services, ensuring that the project adheres to standards set by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. This included comprehensive studies to verify the performance of the turbines, ensuring they meet critical utility requirements.
Ultimately, AWEC is a key component of America’s renewable energy future. By providing clean energy to over 500,000 households, it supports the energy needs of California while contributing to a greener environment for generations to come. As the country moves towards a viable energy model, projects such as AWEC will be instrumental in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and addressing climate change.