Western Spirit Transmission

About Western Spirit

The Western Spirit Transmission Line (”Western Spirit”)

is a proposed 345 kV transmission line that will connect

up to 800 MW of new wind power to the existing New

Mexico grid. Western Spirit is owned by the New Mexico

Renewable Energy Transmission Authority (”NM RETA”),

and is being co-developed with Pattern Energy Group

2 LP (”Pattern Development”), a private renewable

power company. After Western Spirit is constructed it

will be acquired by the Public Service Company of New

Mexico (”PNM”), strengthening the New Mexico grid

and increasing and enhancing its ability to deliver

renewable power. Western Spirit provides PNM the best

option for a transmission expansion needed to enable

800 MW of new wind resources. The line has been under

development since 2010, when NM RETA first identified

it as a benefit to the New Mexico grid.

Protecting PNM Customers

Pattern Development will be responsible for the cost of the

new transmission service provided by Western Spirit, and

will interconnect its new-build wind projects into the PNM

system to utilize that service and deliver renewable power.

In this way, that Western Spirit upgrade will not impact

existing wholesale and retail PNM customers. Instead, the

investment in Western Spirit will be repaid by Pattern

Development’s wind projects over time, by way of a new

transmission rate which would be approved by FERC.

30 miMap for illustration purposes only

Western Spirit Project Area

$360 Million 300+ Jobs

Private Investment

During PeakConstruction

Project Hotline: 505-375-1324 · westernspirit@patternenergy.com · westernspirittransmission.com

WESTERN SPIRITTRANSMISSION

PATTERN DEVELOPMENTWIND PROJECTS

~165 Miles 800+ MW wind

345 kV A/C Power Line

Connected to the Grid

May 2019

Parajito(PNM)

Clines Corners(PNM)

Project Hotline: 505-375-1324 · westernspirit@patternenergy.com · westernspirittransmission.com

Arizona New Mexico

NevadaCalifornia

Utah Colorado

Texas

100 mi

6.5 - 7.0

>10.0

7.0 - 7.57.5 - 8.08.0 - 8.5

8.5 - 9.09.0 - 9.59.5 - 10.0

NREL Wind Speed:m/s at 80m

Existing Grid

Map for illustration purposes only

Western Spirit

Pattern DevelopmentWind Projects

Western SpiritTransmission Line

Wind Development

NM RETA is a state authority established by statute to identify and develop transmission to enable renewable energy in New Mexico. NM RETA first identified Western Spirit in 2010 as a benefit to the grid, and is the current owner and co-developer of the project.

Pattern Development is NM RETA’s private co-development partner for Western Spirit. Pattern Development is a global leader in wind, solar, and transmission with over 5,000 MW placed in service, including New Mexico’s largest wind energy investments to date.

PNM is a regulated electric utility in New Mexico and the state’s largest grid operator. PNM will acquire Western Spirit when it is operational as a capacity upgrade that will enable over 800 MW of new wind energy. The investment and acquisition cost will be repaid by Pattern Development’s wind projects.

Participating Entities

General Inquiries

(505) 699-0599www.nmreta.com/contact

Adam Renz

(505) 375-1324westernspirit@patternenergy.com

Ray Sandoval

(505) 241-2782Raymond.Sandoval@pnm.com

Contact Information

New Mexico has one of the best wind resources in the U.S. but our grid needs new capacity like Western Spirit to bring it to market. Wind is also in high demand as it has become the least cost source of electricity. The wind energy enabled by Western Spirit will be able to serve customers throughout the west, including those here in New Mexico.

Western Spirit Brings New Mexico Wind to Market

Pattern DevelopmentWind Projects

Western SpiritTransmission Line

Parajito(PNM)

FourCorners

(TEP & APS)

Navajo(DWP & NVE)

Palo Verde(CAISO)

ClinesCorners(PNM)Parajito

(PNM)

FourCorners

(TEP & APS)

Navajo(DWP & NVE)

Palo Verde(CAISO)

ClinesCorners(PNM)

PinalCentral

(SRP & APS)

PinalCentral

(SRP & APS)