San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm
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The San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm is a wind power plant located on the eastern slope of the San Gorgonio Pass in Riverside County, just east of White Water, California, United States. Developed beginning in the 1980s, it is one of three major wind farms in California, along with those at Altamont and the Tehachapi passes. The gateway into the Coachella Valley, the San Gorgonio Pass is one of the windiest places in Southern California.
As of January 2008, the farm consists of 3,218 units delivering 615 MW. A single Southern California Edison Path 46 500 kV power line crosses the pass on the northern edge of San Jacinto Peak. This power line links the Los Angeles metro area with the Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant.
Wind energy development in the San Gorgonio Pass area was formally studied through the San Gorgonio Wind Resource Study EIR (1982), a joint environmental document prepared for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and Riverside County. The document assessed three scenarios for wind energy development in the area and included criteria for the development of wind energy on both a countywide basis and specifically for the San Gorgonio Pass area. Since 1982, and the approval of wind energy development in the San Gorgonio Pass, the numerous wind turbines have become part of the existing landscape. The narrow turbines range from 80 to 160 feet in height above the desert floor.
As of January 2008, the farm consists of 3,218 units delivering 615 MW. A single Southern California Edison Path 46 500 kV power line crosses the pass on the northern edge of San Jacinto Peak. This power line links the Los Angeles metro area with the Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant.
Wind energy development in the San Gorgonio Pass area was formally studied through the San Gorgonio Wind Resource Study EIR (1982), a joint environmental document prepared for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and Riverside County. The document assessed three scenarios for wind energy development in the area and included criteria for the development of wind energy on both a countywide basis and specifically for the San Gorgonio Pass area. Since 1982, and the approval of wind energy development in the San Gorgonio Pass, the numerous wind turbines have become part of the existing landscape. The narrow turbines range from 80 to 160 feet in height above the desert floor.
