SRP harnesses wind energy with Dry Lake Wind Power Project

Wind is a domestic and carbon-free source of energy, requiring no water or fossil fuel source to generate electricity. Arizona's first modern, commercial-scale wind farm is in the high desert countryside of Navajo County.

Located in Navajo County, the Dry Lake Wind Power Project is expected to annually offset approximately 170 million pounds of carbon dioxide, which is the estimated equivalent of removing almost 15,000 cars from the road each year.

How it works

  • The rotor blades of a wind turbine work somewhat like the wings of an airplane
  • As air passes over the specially designed blades, "lift" is created
  • This lift, in turn, sends the blades spinning in a circular motion, which drives an electric generator
  • When winds reach about eight miles per hour, the rotor is engaged and the wind turbine begins producing power

Project benefits

Dry Lake generates enough power for more than 9,100 homes, which is delivered to SRP customers. The project brings a new source of clean, renewable energy to the region while supporting the local economy through property tax payments to Navajo County and job creation.

Fast facts

  • Turbine height: 396 feet - taller than the length of a football field
  • Total turbine weight: 660 tons, or about 135,000 pounds
  • Turbine count: 30 Suzlon S88-2.1 MW turbines
  • The foundation of one wind turbine is made up of 386 cubic yards of concrete
  • Each wind turbine has three blades, each 142 feet in length
  • Each wind turbine blade makes one revolution every three seconds

The project became operational in October 2009. It is one of many sources of renewable energy in SRP's resource portfolio.

The Dry Lake Wind Power Project is situated on a combination of private, state and Bureau of Land Management public lands. The 30 Suzlon wind turbines in Phase 1 generate 63 megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable energy, which SRP purchases to help serve energy customers in the greater Phoenix area. Oregon-based Iberdrola Renewables Inc. developed and built the project, and serves as operator.