Worlds Largest Renewable Wind Power Project Gets Under Way in the US State of California

As noted by the Los Angeles Times the ground has been officially broken on the long awaited Alta Wind Energy Center in the Tehachapi Mountains in the Mojave Desert, California. This is a massive boost to the generation of renewable wind energy as it is aimed to be the largest wind project in the world.

A total of 600 turbines capable of producing 1550 megawatts of wind power electricity is planned with potential for even more in the future. The project is being developed by Terra-Gen Power LLC who secured the $1.2 billion required to get the first phase under way. Power will be supplied to Southern California Edison who have agreed a 25-year deal to buy the power generated.

For the state of California it means a major step forward to their commitment to generate 20% of their requirement using renewable sources by 2020. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said, "Having the world's largest wind project break ground in our state is tangible evidence that our pioneering policies are drawing investment, improving the economy and creating jobs now when we need them most”.

The project is also expected to bring up to 3000 jobs in manufacturing of turbines, construction and ongoing maintenance work.