The El Cabo Wind Farm project is expanding New Mexico’s wind power capacity in one of the windiest and complex climates in the country. The 298-megawatt wind project is the largest wind producing facility in the state and produces enough clean, renewable energy to power 90,000 typical American homes. It was built on approximately 60,000 acres of ranch land in rural Torrance County using State Trust Lands and used New Mexico-based firms for planning, engineering, and construction. The project benefits the residents of New Mexico by boosting New Mexico’s economy and workforce, while helping make the state a key player in the wind energy industry.

The Bohannan Huston team provided design services for approximately 64 miles of roadway, including access roads and crane paths. BHI provided a traffic impact study and design for the improvements to NM 60.  BHI also provided the overall drainage study for site, along with the grading and drainage for the Operations and Maintenance Facility, as well as the substation.  Another aspect of our involvement was coordination with NMDOT, Torrance County, State Land Office, and local landowners.  BHI also provided survey for 110 square miles of wind farm development. Several townships in the area had not been surveyed since the original survey in the 1880s resulting in extensive research and recreation of parcel boundaries.

Along with bringing jobs and economic development to the region, the El Cabo Wind Farm project strengthened relationships with various stakeholders including, landowners, local leaders, and local businesses.