Project Overview
Los Mirasoles Wind Farm consists of two phases and is located in the Rio Grande Valley, about 16 miles from the U.S. border with Mexico in Hidalgo and Starr Counties. Named after the large sunflowers grown in the area, Los Mirasoles is surrounded by agricultural lands predominately used to grow sorghum, cotton, and sunflowers, as well as within ranching and hunting properties.
Energy Output
Los Mirasoles Wind Farm has an installed capacity of 300 megawatts (MW). Los Mirasoles' generation is equivalent to the consumption of more than 65,000 Texas homes.
Benefits
Community
Los Mirasoles Wind Farm yields significant economic benefits to the community in the form of payments to landowners, local spending, and annual community investment.
Los Mirasoles represents a capital investment of approximately $495 million and has disbursed more than $14 million in cumulative payments to local governments through 2020. The project created 210 full-time equivalent jobs during construction as well as 17 permanent jobs. Through 2019, approximately $20.3 million has been spent within 50 miles of the wind farm.
Environment
Los Mirasoles Wind Farm saves more than 533 million gallons of water each year and will prevent the air pollution that causes smog, acid rain, and climate change. Wind energy also enhances air quality by helping to mitigate the health effects of harmful air pollutants.
Landowners
Los Mirasoles Wind Farm is compatible with other land uses and provides a stable form of income to local landowners. More than $7.5 million has been paid to the wind farm’s landowners through 2019. These supportive landowners participate in long-term lease and easement agreements that cover turbines, access roads, and transmission corridors.
National Security
Los Mirasoles Wind Farm contribute to Texas' energy security and help diversify energy supply.
Technology
Turbines
Modern wind turbine generators are sophisticated, high-tech machines designed to capture the kinetic energy of the wind and convert it into electricity. A turbine’s blades capture the wind and rotate an internal shaft connected to a gearbox spinning a generator to produce electricity.
Los Mirasoles I Wind Farm consists of 125 Vestas V110 2 MW wind turbines and Los Mirasoles II Wind Farm consists of 14 Vestas V136 3.6 MW wind turbines.
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