Wind power in New Mexico

As of the end of 2021, New Mexico had 4,001 megawatts (MW) of wind powered electricity generating capacity, responsible for 30% of electricity produced that year. Wind power in New Mexico has the potential to generate more than all of the electricity consumed in the state.

Wind resources
The 250 MW capacity Roosevelt wind farm started operation in December 2015. The plant sells electricity to Southwestern Public Service.

Construction of the 298 MW El Cabo Wind Farm west of Encino was completed at the end of 2017. The Red Cloud 331 MW wind farm in south east New Mexico has over 40% capacity factor, and sends power to LADWP at $0.043/kWh for 20 years.

The SunZia Wind project will begin construction in 2023 and will be the largest wind farm in North America upon completion with 3,500 MW of capacity. A 3,000 MW HVDC transmission line will supply electricity to Arizona.

Installed capacity
The following table compares the growth in wind power installed nameplate capacity in MW for New Mexico and the entire United States since 1999.



A 2010 study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory showed that New Mexico has the potential to install up to 492,083 MW of wind power nameplate capacity, generating 1,644,970 GWh annually. For comparison, New Mexico consumed 23,060 GWh of electricity in 2016, and 20,639 GWh in 2005.

Wind generation
Teal background indicates the largest wind generation month for the year. Green background indicates the largest wind generation month to date. Source: