About
Pattern Energy Group is one of North America's leading independent wind and transmission companies. Our mission is to provide our customers with clean, renewable energy, which we seek to achieve by developing, constructing, owning and operating projects that are built for lasting success. We identify high-value opportunities in the renewable energy sector and then create and implement a plan to convert those opportunities into operating assets. This allows us to deliver exceptional results for the benefit of all our stakeholders. We have projects totaling over 775 MW in operation and under construction. In addition, we are growing and building on our current development pipeline, which includes over 4,000 MW of wind power and multiple transmission projects in the United States, Canada and Latin America.
Pattern is a U.S.-based company led by a committed and seasoned management team whose members, each with over 20 years experience in the energy industry, have worked together for nearly 10 years. As a team they have developed, financed and managed more than $4 billion of energy assets.
Our senior management team is supported by a deep and talented bench of scientists, engineers, financial experts, and construction and operations specialists who bring expertise and a rigorous analytical perspective to all aspects of our business. Every decision we make is grounded in their insights and discoveries. Our people are driven by a creative entrepreneurial spirit, and sustained by years of experience. Our successful track record comes from this pragmatic yet passionate approach.
Commitment to community is one of Pattern's core values. We are dedicated to building strong relationships with our employees, landowners, communities, business partners, and customers. We are also committed to the environment, and we make the effort and take the time to understand and minimize our projects' impact on local habitat and wildlife. These values are supported by a strong company culture that fosters innovative and critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and a deep belief in living up to our promises.
Facilitating our work is our financial strength as a company. We are well-capitalized with significant capital reserves and no corporate debt. We benefit from the partnership of our major stakeholder, a renewable energy investment fund managed by Riverstone Holdings LLC, an energy and power-focused investment firm. Riverstone's support allows us to secure and arrange ample capital for the development, construction and operation of all our projects.
January 11– I just now read of your company's efforts to please all interested parties in regards to the Ocotillo Wind Energy Project in California's Imperial Valley. I realize that this is a press release from your company, however the seemingly overwhelming number of areas addressed add up to a Herculean effort on Pattern's part to "do the right thing".
I, as a private & retired citizen (of Iowa), want to thank you for helping that school to remain solvent, to provide clean energy, to provide jobs to an area starved for employment opportunities and for your careful attention to consideration of environmental and cultural issues and areas, and much more.
NOW...if there were more American and world-wide businesses and industries who were willing to seek to emulate Pattern's fine example, there could potentially be a Utopia-like improvement in the current state of ambivalence and callousness that so many in government and big business currently embrace and demonstrate.
Thank you for your efforts and your significant achievements.
Respectfully,
Kurt Kruggel,
Rockwell (Burchinal) Iowa
January 6 – "For 2012, the biggest issue facing the industry is the expiry of the PTC and investment tax credit (ITC) at the end of the year.
"This creates a logjam of projects trying to get permitted and built by the end of 2012.
"Without passage of a PTC/ITC extension by Congress, US manufacturers and component suppliers will be facing lay-offs and shutdowns by the middle of 2012 (after the majority of the equipment has been manufactured).
"Because there is extreme uncertainty as to the PTC/ITC extension, little investment is being made in new development, and utilities are delaying any consideration of new power-purchase agreements. You are already seeing more than 100 development jobs lost in the industry and hundreds of millions of dollars not being spent in the US – and being redirected to other countries with more stable energy policies.
"It will take a significant effort to restart development, manufacturing and contracting efforts. This will be particularly hard if Congress acts late and only provides a short-term extension."
January 31 – Developers added 921 megawatts of wind projects in the Golden State last year, enough to juice more than 400,000 homes, the California Wind Energy Association (CalWEA) said. Wind power capacity in the state now is 3,927 MW, the association said.
"The total amount of wind energy installations in 2011 created a banner year for wind generation in California and is helping to drive California closer to reaching its goal of 33 percent renewable energy," said Nancy Rader, CalWEA's executive director. "The investments companies are making in California to develop wind energy projects is a boon for cleaner air and greener energy, and also for creating jobs and retooling manufacturing here and across the country."
– Anne C. Mulkern, E&E reporter
January 11 – Utility rates could be stablized from revenue earned from excess wind energy.
"I've lived here for 36 years and anything that would lower our bills would be a blessing to this community because our bills are astronomical,” said Corryne Hampton, Garland resident.
The transmission line is expected to be energized in 2015. The amount of power that can be exported or imported into Texas through the new transmission facilities will be three times more than exists currently.
December 16 – An expert report has concluded there is no direct health risk from wind turbine sound at Ontario's regulated setback distance.
The study analyzed the latest findings on low frequency noise and infrasound from wind turbines. In addition, three experts in the field of noise, vibration and acoustics reviewed and validated the report.
The report found that the province's rules to control wind turbine sound are rigorous. Ontario has one of the strictest noise limits in North America, which includes a 550 metre minimum setback, based on a 40 decibel limit. These requirements align with the limits set by the World Health Organization.
Statesman.com - Texas Comptroller Susan Combs was quoted recently in The Wall Street Journal as saying the wind power industry in Texas has created only 500 to 800 jobs and that finding a "green" job in Texas would like finding a unicorn.
... I guess my town would be as good a place as any to find "the mythical beast" that Combs says does not exist.
A detailed study of the economic impacts of wind energy in our single county was released at the Texas Capitol in summer 2008 that details that Nolan County hosts more wind energy jobs than the Lone Star State's chief accountant says exist in the entire state. Interviews directly with more than 20 local wind energy companies demonstrated that we have well more than 1,000 wind energy jobs just here.
– Greg Wortham, Mayor of Sweetwater, Special Contributor to the Statesman