Pattern Energy, San Diego Gas + Electric Sign Accord for Imperial Valley Wind Facility

San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and Pattern Energy have entered into a 20-year accord for trading 315 MW wind energy to be produced from the proposed Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility owned by Pattern.

The facility is located around 25 miles west of El Centro located in Imperial Valley. The project is awaiting the sanction from the California Public Utilities Commission to commence its construction.

On obtaining the required government permissions on time, Pattern Energy proposes to finish the installation of the wind turbines by the end of 2012 to concur with the commissioning of the 500 kW Sunrise Powerlink transmission line. The transmission line is presently under construction. The project when completed will provide electricity to over 130,000 households every year.

According to Mike Garland, Pattern Energy’s chief executive officer, the wind project in addition to generating around 20 permanent job positions in maintenance and operations segment also will generate hundreds of building jobs to boost the economy in the Imperial Valley. Commissioning of the project will assist SDG&E to reach its 33% renewable energy commitment by the year 2020