In 2018, Leeward Renewable Energy (Leeward) asked ArcVera Renewables to apply its wind resource assessment expertise to support the repowering of their Sweetwater 1 & 2 wind farms.

Leeward is a leading renewable energy producer that currently owns and operates 21 wind farms across the United States, with a total installed capacity of exceeding 2,000 megawatts. Leeward owns and operates the Sweetwater projects located in Nolan County, Texas.

The Sweetwater projects are relatively mature. Phases 1 & 2 became commercially operational in 2004 and 2005, respectively. The projects utilized GE 1.5S and GE 1.5 SLE model wind turbines. With significant evolution of GE wind turbine technology in the 15 years since the project was constructed, and the passage of U.S. tax reform to support renewable energy development, the Leeward’ team elected to undertake a repowering of the Sweetwater 1 & 2 project to enhance the performance of the project.

WIND ENERGY ASSESSMENT SWEETWATER 1 & 2 REPOWERING PROGRAM

As a leading wind industry consultant and a trusted Leeward development wind energy project technical partner, ArcVera advised and supported the repowering of Sweetwater 1 & 2. To do so, ArcVera developed a unique hybrid methodology that combined traditional pre-construction wind energy resource assessments with operational energy assessments. ArcVera has employed state-of-the-science mesoscale modeling combined with advanced tools to predict the energy production for the repowered Sweetwater 1& 2 projects.

RESULTS

In January 2018, Leeward announced the successful completion of the repowering of the projects. The Sweetwater 1 & 2 repowering enhanced the performance of the wind farms by replacing major existing components, resulting in a material increase in annual energy production. Through the repowering project, the companies installed state-of-the-art technology at the facilities to increase the sites’ efficiency, reduce costs and extend the life of some of Leeward’s oldest operating assets.

On November 23, 2020, Leeward Renewable Energy announced the successful completion, in late September, of the repowering and final financial close of its Sweetwater 3 Wind Farm in Nolan County, Texas. GE Energy Financial Services and BHE Renewables provided tax equity financing. As with Phases 1 & 2, ArcVera Renewables technically advised and supported the repowering of Sweetwater 3.

“Since Sweetwater 1 and 2’s new commercial operation date, the projects have achieved ArcVera’s energy yield performance estimate and the production delivered by the new GE wind turbine technologies,” said Jason Allen, Leeward Renewable Energy Interim CEO. “Leeward is impressed with the results of the project performance meeting the estimated values ArcVera Renewables provided.”