The US developer Pattern Energy Group has begun construction of the 3 GW SunZia transmission project in the US State of New Mexico, after receiving a notice to proceed from the country’s Department of Interior (DOI). Once completed, the 885 km, 525 kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) SunZia transmission line will link central New Mexico and southern Arizona.
SunZia will deliver renewable energy from Pattern’s 3.5 GW SunZia Wind project, which will be built simultaneously with the transmission project. The SunZia wind and transmission projects represent a total investment of more than US$8bn and enough energy to power more than 3 million American households.
Pattern got approval to develop the project from the US States of Arizona and New Mexico in November 2022. In July 2022, Pattern Energy had acquired the SunZia transmission line project from SouthWestern Power Group, a subsidiary of US construction engineering company MMR Group. Previously, Pattern Energy completed the 1 GW Western Spirit wind project in New Mexico in January 2022 and brought online the Western Spirit 249 km, 345 kV transmission line in December 2021.