Pattern achieves financing on 265MW project

The wind farm will use Siemens 2.3MW turbine. The project is under construction with a view to completion in early 2013, and will be the first project to connect to the Sunrise Powerlink 500kV transmission line.

Despite objections by local Native American tribes, the Interior Department approved the project. The Bureau of Land Management said it worked closely with Native American tribes and neighbouring residents by reducing land area by 930 hectares and the number of turbines from 155 to 112 to avoid blocking views that are important to the tribes.

Pattern has a 20-year PPA for the project with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E).

Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern Energy said: "We would like to thank Imperial County, the Imperial Valley community, the local Native American tribes, the US Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Department of Interior, and San Diego Gas & Electric Service who have worked with us over the past three years to make this project a reality.

"We have been committed to respecting the cultural heritage of the area and to protecting the environment. Ocotillo Wind, like other Pattern projects, is implementing industry-leading initiatives to minimize impacts, including an advanced radar system for the protection of golden eagles and extensive cultural surveys, monitoring and avoidance measures with the aim of preserving cultural resources."