SunZia Transmission line enters full commercial service

Pattern Energy and Hitachi Energy confirmed the 550-mile high-voltage direct current line has reached full operation. It now delivers as much as 3,000 MW of renewable electricity generated by the SunZia Wind project in New Mexico to Arizona and utilities tied into the broader western grid.

The $11 billion project delivers electricity for around 1 million US homes. Reuters reports the project took nearly two decades to complete. The 3.65-GW wind farm consists of 916 turbines and has now begun delivering power via the new line, according to multiple outlets including RTO Insider.

Two-thirds of the power flows to California. The Los Angeles Times notes this timing aligns with record wind output on the CAISO grid, which reached 8,294 MW on May 15. CAISO CEO Elliot Mainzer called the development a milestone for moving clean energy across long distances.

Transmission capacity addresses rising power demand from data centers and electrification. The HVDC line moves large amounts of wind power over long distances with relatively low energy losses. Analyst Dennis Wamsted told the Los Angeles Times that such projects are critical as electricity needs climb due to industrial growth.

The wind project and transmission line were co-developed by Pattern Energy. Sen. Martin Heinrich praised the achievement, while the Los Angeles Times reports the initiative faced years of opposition and permitting challenges before reaching operation.

Commercial deliveries have started to California customers. RTO Insider confirms the line is now supplying power directly to CAISO. The combined project ranks among the largest US clean energy transmission efforts ever built.