Above: Governor Fortuño takes a look at the new turbines (Photo: OG)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The first wave of turbines marked for the new Pattern Energy wind farm in Santa Isabel have arrived at the Port of the Americas in Ponce.

Governor Luis Fortuño took a brief inspection Thursday of the new turbines, which will be part of a wind farm by Pattern Energy in Santa Isabel with a private investment of $215 million.

“Green energy has arrived in the south of our island,” Fortuño said, joined by Santa Isabel Mayor Enrique Questell and Ponce Mayor Mayita Melendez. “Here in the south, we are realizing our goal of developing a sustainable Puerto Rico, with clean energy to preserve our environment and create opportunity for future generations.”

The wind farm could generate up to 75 megawatts of clean energy.

The farm, which will have 44 turbines anchored 430 feet from their base to the peak of their blades.

It is expected to begin power production in October of this year.

“The arrival of components for the turbines puts Puerto Rico a step closer to much-needed energy diversification,” said Hunter Armistead, CEO of Pattern Energy.”

The new Siemens turbines will be put up in the coming months, pointing to what he called “a new era in the history of energy in Puerto Rico.”

It is the latest in a series of green energy projects on the island, according to Fortuño, from a solar photovoltaic energy park in Guyama (which will be the largest in the Caribbean) and Windmar in Guayanilla.

Pattern Energy has entered into a 20-year power purchase and operating agreement with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority for the project, which is known as Finca de Viento Santa Isabel.

“Our primary objective is to reduce oil dependence on the island and lower the cost of energy,” Fortuño said. “We want to assure a more economical, cleaner and safer future and quality of life for all Puerto Ricans.”