ACCIONA Energy announced the start of construction on the 93MW San Roman Wind Farm in Texas. The project, which was acquired from developer Pioneer Green Energy, is ACCIONA’s eighth wind farm in the U.S., bringing the company’s wind portfolio in the nation to 721MW.
The San Roman Wind Farm consists of 31 ACCIONA Windpower AW125/3000 turbines. During construction, the project will create around 80 full-time jobs. Another seven permanent jobs will be created during the 25-year operation phase after the completion expected by the end of 2016.
Over its 25-year lifespan, the project will produce enough clean energy to power more than 30,000 U.S. homes. It will also help create a more reliable power supply for Texas’ Rio Grande Valley where has suffered from rolling blackouts in recent years.
It is expected to pay more than $30 million in local taxes to benefit entities such as the Cameron County schools, water districts and hospitals and is expected to generate more than $25 million in lease payments to local landowners. ACCIONA will also establish a scholarship fund and a community benefit fund to support the community.
ACCIONA Energy North America CEO Ilya Hartmann explained, “The San Roman Wind Farm represents ACCIONA’s renewed investment activity in the important United States market.” The recent long-term extension of the federal Production Tax Credit (PTC) is an important factor in ACCIONA’s decision to increase investment in US wind energy projects.