Vestas has recently clinched its most substantial order in the United States, sealing a significant deal with Pattern Energy to supply turbines for the SunZia Wind project in New Mexico.
Pattern Energy has earlier closed an $11 billion non-recourse financing and begun full construction of SunZia Transmission and SunZia Wind.
The EPC contractor for the wind project is Blattner Energy, a Quanta affiliated company. Both GE Vernova and Vestas are supplying wind turbines to Pattern Energy. Siemens Energy is not part of the wind power project.
This agreement marks Vestas’ largest order in the U.S. market to date and stands as the single most extensive onshore project worldwide. Comprising 242 V163-4.5 MW turbines, the 1.1 GW order represents a remarkable stride and underscores Vestas’ commitment to high-capacity, sustainable turbine technology.
The comprehensive deal encompasses turbine supply, delivery, and commissioning, complemented by a multi-year Active Output Management 5000 (AOM 5000) service agreement.
Laura Beane, President of Vestas North America, hailed the achievement as a testament to Vestas’ unwavering dedication to fostering clean energy solutions across the United States.
Hunter Armistead, CEO of Pattern Energy, emphasized the project’s significance in generating clean energy for millions across western markets and highlighted the order’s potential to create thousands of new jobs in manufacturing and construction within the United States.
Vestas’ milestone order aligns with its recent commitment to invest USD 40 million in domestic facilities to manufacture the V163-4.5 MW turbine. The company’s expansion efforts in Colorado, including building expansions, production equipment enhancements, and plans to hire up to 1,000 local employees, underscore Vestas’ dedication to bolstering its U.S. footprint.
David Ivan, Senior Vice President and COO of Vestas North America, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to sourcing domestically for the majority of the 1.1 GW deal, emphasizing their commitment to deploying American-made renewable energy across the country.
The V163-4.5 MW turbine, based on the proven 4 MW platform, harnesses an established supply chain and is tailored to suit U.S. conditions, facilitating efficient transportation, installation, and operation. Vestas’ surge in orders, totaling nearly 4.5 GW in the U.S. this year, showcases the growing demand for their cutting-edge technology.
John Eggers, Chief Technical Officer at Vestas North America, expressed immense pride in contributing the company’s latest high-capacity factor turbine to the largest clean energy initiative in the U.S. He highlighted the turbine’s adaptability to grid constraints, marking a significant leap for renewable energy possibilities in the United States.
Turbine delivery is slated to commence in the first quarter of 2025, with final commissioning earmarked for the first half of 2026, setting the stage for a transformative shift towards renewable energy in the country.
Pattern Energy’s operational portfolio includes 30 renewable energy facilities with an operating capacity of nearly 6,000 MW across North America.