One is for construction of the Raymond Wind Farm in Willacy and Cameron counties. The project’s planned 91 Vestas turbines will generate 200 MW of power. The contract is valued at approximately $53 million.
The other award is for the West Raymond Wind Farm in Willacy, Hidalgo and Cameron counties. The approximate $62 million project involves 109 Vestas turbines that will produce nearly 240 MW of power.
The power generated by the two wind farms will be delivered into the Texas electrical grid. Work on both projects is scheduled to begin in December with full operation expected by December 2020. The scope of IEA’s work includes construction of project roads, WTG foundations, and erection of turbines.
Both contracts were secured by IEA Constructors, a division of IEA that manages utility-scale energy and heavy civil infrastructure projects.
RWE Renewables Americas LLC, a division of German-based RWE AG, is lead developer on the projects. The company develops, owns, and operates renewable energy projects across the United States. Its parent, RWE AG, is among the world’s largest owners of renewable power projects.
“We’re excited to move forward with two more South Texas wind farms this year, consolidating our position as a leader of Texas coastal wind,” said Silvia Ortin, COO Onshore Wind and Solar PV Americas, RWE Renewables.
JP Roehm, IEA’s Chief Executive Officer, said Texas is now and is expected to be a leading driver of wind energy projects, given both its commitment to renewable energy and its vast geography.
According to the American Wind Energy Association’s third-quarter 2019 report, 19 states now have more than 1,000 MW under construction or in advanced development. Texas leads all other states and is home to 19 percent of the total development pipeline.
Texas led third-quarter capacity additions with 1,232 MW. For the year through Sept. 30, Texas also led the country in installations with 2,129 MW.
“Texas clearly is a very important state for wind energy development,” Roehm said. “We are committed to working closely with developers such as RWE to continue the momentum there and meet the robust demand for wind energy in Texas and throughout North America.”
