GE Vernova, a subsidiary of General Electric, has inked a landmark deal with Pattern Energy, signing a turbine order and services agreement for the SunZia wind project in New Mexico. The agreement, received in the fourth quarter of 2023, comprises an order for 674 wind turbines, specifically the 3.6-154 model, totaling an impressive 2,400MW. This deal marks the largest single onshore wind turbine order ever received by GE Vernova, both in terms of turbine quantity and gigawatts of power generation upon completion.
SunZia Wind is poised to become the largest wind project in the Western Hemisphere, with an anticipated total project size exceeding 3.5GW. The project is expected to elevate GE Vernova's installed base with Pattern Energy in North America to approximately 4.3GW upon completion.
See also: GE Vernova to Invest $50 Million in Assembly Line for Onshore Wind Turbine Components
Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova, expressed enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing the pivotal role wind power plays in meeting the rising demand for renewable energy in the Western US and advancing the broader energy transition. Strazik congratulated GE Vernova teams for their collective efforts in bringing this monumental project to life.
Vic Abate, Chief Technology Officer at GE and CEO of GE Vernova's Wind business, highlighted the company's ability to execute its “workhorse strategy” in Onshore Wind, producing fewer variants in large quantities at scale to enhance quality and reliability across the fleet.
The 3.6-154 turbine, designed specifically for the US market, is acclaimed for its high efficiency, optimized size for logistical ease, and the incorporation of recent innovations in turbine and blade design. The turbine is a result of three years of research and development, featuring a digital blade certificate and an AI-trained blade manufacturing process.
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The collaboration between GE Vernova and Pattern Energy on the SunZia project, spanning the last 18 months, has involved joint development and supply chain optimization work. This collaboration contributed to maximizing turbine performance, optimizing fleet consistency, and supporting the creation of thousands of new jobs in manufacturing and construction.
The SunZia project will be supplied through GE Vernova's nacelle facility in Pensacola, Florida, as well as tower manufacturing facilities in Belen, New Mexico, Pueblo, Colorado, and Amarillo, Texas. The project aligns with GE Vernova's commitment to invest $50 million and add 200 additional union jobs, establishing a new manufacturing assembly line for its onshore wind business in Schenectady, New York, as announced in May 2023.
