The SunZia development is one of the largest renewable energy projects in the US to date, combining utility-scale wind generation with dedicated long-distance transmission infrastructure.

Developed by Pattern Energy, the project comprises 916 turbines across three counties in central New Mexico. At 3.65GW, it is the largest wind project in the US, significantly exceeding the scale of other major developments, including Alta Wind in California (1.1GW) and Great Prairie in Texas (1.03GW).

The project also includes a ±525kV voltage source converter (VSC)-based high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link supplied by Hitachi Energy. Electricity is converted to direct current for efficient transmission over long distances, before being converted back to alternating current for grid integration.

Power is transmitted into Arizona and then routed into Southern California via the Palo Verde hub, with around 2.13GW expected to reach the California grid.

At full capacity, SunZia is expected to supply approximately one million homes annually, supporting growing demand driven by electrification, data centres and industrial expansion. The transmission system also enhances grid flexibility, allowing operators to respond quickly to demand peaks, particularly when solar generation declines in the evening.

The development significantly expands New Mexico’s wind capacity, increasing it from 4GW to 7.65GW and raising wind’s share to around 45% of the state’s energy mix.

SunZia is expected to avoid around 9mn t of CO₂ emissions annually.