Sunzia: the largest infrastructure and wind energy project in the U.S.

SunZia is the largest wind infrastructure project in the United States, with a high-voltage line that will connect Arizona to New Mexico to transport clean energy. The project involves the installation of more than 900 wind turbines and will generate $20.5 billion in economic benefits,

SunZia will be the largest infrastructure and wind energy project currently in construction in the United States.

This high-voltage transmission line will connect Arizona with New Mexico, playing a critical role in meeting the growing energy demands of the Western U.S. while ensuring stability for the electrical grid.

When complete, SunZia Wind will feature over 900 new turbines, pushed across the New Mexico desert to generate 3,500 MW for the entire American Southwest.

New Mexico contains some of the largest and most accessible wind resources in the country; many of these would be limited due to a lack of transmission. SunZia Transmission will carry the energy to the high-demand areas, delivering clean, affordable, and fossil fuel-free power to Arizona and other Western states.

Altogether, the SunZia Wind and Transmission projects are forecasted to result in a total economic impact of $20.5 billion, including direct, indirect, and induced benefits, apart from fiscal effects. All in all, the projects will yield a production value of $1.3 billion in taxes that will be used to support local governments, communities, schools, and landowners in New Mexico and Arizona. These will be paid as sales taxes, property taxes, and lease payments to both public and private land owners.

Pattern Energy, the wind project developer, is working with environmental consultants and a local saguaro farm to relocate and replant the iconic “candelabra cacti” of Arizona in order to ensure the protection of this desert landscape.