Wind Energy
Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility - History
The development of the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility began in 2004 when San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) proposed the project as part of its efforts to increase its renewable energy portfolio.
The project was initially planned to consist of 150 wind turbines and have a total capacity of 315 MW, but the plan was later scaled down to 112 turbines and 265 MW due to concerns about the project's impact on wildlife.
After several years of planning and environmental review, the project received its final approval from the Bureau of Land Management in August 2011. Construction of the wind farm began in late 2011, and the first turbine was installed in February 2012. The project was completed in August 2013, and the wind farm began commercial operation in the same month.
The construction of the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility was not without controversy. Some local residents and environmentalists raised concerns about the potential impact on the desert landscape and wildlife, particularly the endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep. In response, Pattern Energy, the project's developer, worked closely with local stakeholders to address their concerns and minimize the impact on the environment.
Despite these challenges, the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility has been a successful renewable energy project. It generates clean electricity and contributes to California's efforts to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a more sustainable energy future.
Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility Review
The Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility is a wind farm located in the Ocotillo area of Imperial County, California, United States. It covers an area of approximately 12,500 acres and has a total installed capacity of 265 megawatts (MW), making it one of the largest wind farms in California.
The wind farm consists of 112 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 2.37 MW. The turbines are arranged in rows along the ridges of the desert hills and can generate enough electricity to power about 125,000 homes annually.
The Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility began commercial operation in August 2013 and is owned and operated by Pattern Energy, a renewable energy company that develops and operates wind and solar projects around the world.
The construction of the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility was not without controversy, as some local residents and environmentalists raised concerns about the potential impact on wildlife and the desert landscape. However, the project underwent an extensive environmental review process, and Pattern Energy worked closely with local stakeholders to address their concerns and minimize the impact on the environment.
The Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility is an important renewable energy project that contributes to California's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a more sustainable energy future.
Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility - Statistic Data
Here are some statistics about the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility:
Location: Imperial County, California, United States
Capacity: 265 megawatts (MW)
Turbines: 112 Siemens 2.37 MW turbines
Annual electricity production: Approximately 950,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) per year, which is enough to power approximately 125,000 homes
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions avoided: Approximately 441,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year, which is equivalent to taking approximately 93,000 cars off the road
Land area: Approximately 12,500 acres
Investment: Approximately $750 million
Owner and operator: Pattern Energy Group LP
Partially funded by a $1.3 billion loan guarantee from the US Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office
Partially acquired by Tokyo Gas in 2016, which purchased a 50% stake in the project for $285 million
These statistics demonstrate the significant impact that the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility has on the generation of clean and renewable electricity, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and the local economy.
Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility - Demography
The Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility is located in Imperial County, California, which has a relatively small population compared to other counties in the state. According to the United States Census Bureau, the estimated population of Imperial County was 181,827 in 2020.
The majority of the population in Imperial County is Hispanic or Latino, accounting for over 80% of the population. The county has a high poverty rate, with around 21% of the population living below the poverty line.
The Ocotillo area, where the wind farm is located, is sparsely populated, with only a few hundred residents living in the surrounding area. The nearest town, Ocotillo, has a population of around 400 people.
The construction and operation of the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility have had some impact on the local community. During the construction phase, the project provided jobs for local workers and brought economic benefits to the area.
However, the project has also been the subject of controversy among some local residents and environmentalists, who have raised concerns about the impact on the desert landscape and wildlife.
The Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility is an important renewable energy project that contributes to California's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a more sustainable energy future. However, it is important to balance the benefits of renewable energy with the potential impact on local communities and the environment.
Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility - Technology
The Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility uses modern wind turbine technology to generate electricity from the wind. The wind turbines used in the project are manufactured by Siemens Gamesa and have a capacity of 2.37 MW each. The turbines are mounted on tubular steel towers with a height of 80 meters (262 feet) and have three rotor blades with a diameter of 108 meters (354 feet).
The wind turbines at the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility use a pitch-controlled variable-speed system, which allows them to operate at maximum efficiency in varying wind conditions. The turbines are equipped with advanced sensors and control systems that monitor wind conditions and adjust the blade pitch and rotor speed to optimize energy production.
The electricity generated by the wind turbines is transported through a network of underground cables to a substation located on the wind farm site. The substation steps up the voltage of the electricity and feeds it into the electrical grid, where it can be distributed to homes and businesses.
The Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility also includes a meteorological tower that collects data on wind speed, direction, and other atmospheric conditions to help optimize the performance of the wind turbines.
The Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility uses advanced wind turbine technology and sophisticated control systems to generate clean electricity from the wind. The project demonstrates the viability of large-scale wind power and helps California meet its renewable energy goals.
Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility - Operator
The Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility is owned and operated by Pattern Energy Group LP, a renewable energy company that develops, constructs, and operates wind, solar, and energy storage projects around the world.
Pattern Energy is headquartered in San Francisco, California, and has offices in Houston, Texas, and other locations around the world. The company has a portfolio of over 4.4 GW of renewable energy projects in operation or under construction, including wind farms, solar power plants, and battery storage facilities.
In addition to the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility, Pattern Energy owns and operates several other wind farms in California, including the Hatchet Ridge Wind Farm, the Spring Valley Wind Farm, and the Panhandle Wind Farm. The company also has wind and solar projects in other states in the United States, as well as in Canada, Japan, and Chile.
Pattern Energy is committed to sustainable and responsible development of renewable energy projects and works closely with local communities and stakeholders to minimize the environmental impact of its projects. The company also has a strong focus on safety, quality, and operational excellence to ensure the long-term performance and reliability of its renewable energy assets.
Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility - Financial and International investment
The Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility was financed through a combination of debt and equity financing. The project was partially funded through a $1.3 billion loan guarantee from the US Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office, which was authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The loan guarantee helped to attract private investors and reduce the financing costs of the project.
The Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility was developed by Pattern Energy Group LP, which is a private company and not publicly traded. However, Pattern Energy did raise over $300 million in an initial public offering (IPO) in 2013, which helped to finance the development of several wind projects, including the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility.
The Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility has also attracted international investment. The project was partially acquired by Japanese conglomerate Tokyo Gas in 2016, which purchased a 50% stake in the project for $285 million. The investment in the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility was part of Tokyo Gas's strategy to expand its renewable energy portfolio and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.
The investment by Tokyo Gas in the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility demonstrates the growing global interest in renewable energy and the potential for international cooperation in addressing climate change. The project also highlights the importance of public and private sector investment in renewable energy to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable energy future.
Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility - US Energy Diversity
The Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility contributes to the diversity of the US energy mix by providing clean and renewable electricity from wind power. The United States has a diverse mix of energy sources, including fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as nuclear power, hydropower, and renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
The development of wind energy projects like the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility helps to reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuels and diversify the energy mix. Wind energy is a domestic resource that is abundant in many regions of the United States, and it has the potential to provide a significant share of the country's electricity needs.
According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), wind energy accounted for 8% of total electricity generation in the United States in 2020, and it is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. The EIA projects that wind energy will account for 13% of total electricity generation in the country by 2025.
In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality, wind energy also provides economic benefits to local communities. Wind energy projects create jobs during the construction and operation phases, and they provide a new source of revenue for landowners and local governments.
The Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility contributes to the diversity of the US energy mix and demonstrates the potential for renewable energy to provide a significant share of the country's electricity needs.
Conclusion for Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility Overview
The Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility is a large-scale wind energy project located in Imperial County, California, United States. The project has a capacity of 265 megawatts (MW) and consists of 112 Siemens 2.37 MW turbines spread across approximately 12,500 acres of land.
The wind farm was developed by Pattern Energy Group LP and partially funded by a $1.3 billion loan guarantee from the US Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office.
The Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility plays a significant role in the generation of clean and renewable electricity and contributes to the diversification of the US energy mix. The project is expected to produce approximately 950,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity per year, which is enough to power approximately 125,000 homes and avoid approximately 441,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually.
The project has also attracted international investment, with Japanese conglomerate Tokyo Gas purchasing a 50% stake in the project for $285 million in 2016. The investment by Tokyo Gas demonstrates the growing global interest in renewable energy and the potential for international cooperation in addressing climate change.
The Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility is a significant renewable energy project that contributes to the development of clean and sustainable energy sources, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and the local economy.