Wind energy is an integral part of the state‘s electricity portfolio. Most of California’s wind turbines are located in these six regions: East San Diego County, Altamont, Solano, Pacheco, Tehachapi and San Gorgonio.
1) Google LLC (California, US)
Based in Mountain View, California, the well-known internet search giant Google LLC is a US multinational technology company. It focuses on search engine technology, artificial intelligence, online advertising, computer software, cloud and quantum computing, consumer electronics and e-commerce.
In 2011, the company invested $55 million into one of the largest wind power projects in the world which is located in southern California. The wind farm is part of the Alta Wind Energy Center in Kern County and the purchased fourth phase of the project Alta IV generates up to 1,550MW of electricity.
2) Citibank (New York, US)
Citibank is the consumer division of the multinational Citigroup for financial services. Founded in 1812 as the City Bank of New York, the company later became the First National City Bank of New York. Citibank invested $55 million into the fourth phase Alta IV of the Alta Wind Energy Center in California. The complete project generates up to 1.5 GW of electricity which could cover the consumption of 450,000 Southern Californian homes.
3) San José Clean Energy (California, US)
San José Clean Energy is committed to its work towards meeting San José’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2030. As a Community Choice Energy program, it has already invested $1 billion to add new wind, solar and energy storage to the grid.
Their New Mexico Wind Project, which was constructed and is being operated by US developer Pattern Energy, became operational by the end of 2021. With 117 turbines producing 225MW each year for the next 15 years, it will provide enough electricity to cover the consumption of 186,000 San José homes annually.
Image Source: Marcel Strauß via Unsplash (13.03.2023)
