Project Development

Developing a wind project is a complex undertaking that can last several years and requires coordinated efforts by an extensive team of in-house personnel and external project partners. The major steps in developing a wind farm are typically as follows:

• Evaluating wind strength
  The wind's force and consistency are the first factors in considering a potential site. Initially, this can be estimated with our in-house system. As the project progresses, meteorological measurement instruments are installed at the site to collect actual wind data.
• Examining transmission capacity
  A project only succeeds if its power can flow through the high voltage electric grid and be delivered to consumers. We use transmission models and work with the local utility to carefully assess transmission capacity.
• Partnering with landowners
  After identifying a potential site, we meet with interested landowners to explain the process and eventually negotiate contracts needed to build a mutually beneficial partnership.
• Performing environmental analysis
  With the help of environmental experts and government agencies, we conduct extensive site analyses to assess and reduce a project's potential ecological footprint.
• Obtaining permits
  We work with local, state, and federal regulatory agencies to define the requirements for developing, building, and operating a project and to obtain the necessary permits.
• Securing customers
  We use our industry relationships and knowledge to secure purchasers for a project's power.
• Arranging financing
  Once all of the contracts and permits are in place, we combine our financial resources with our lending and other investor partners to arrange for the substantial financing necessary to build a project.
• Building and constructing
  Pattern's engineering and construction team works with a general construction contractor that has extensive experience building wind projects and experience working with subcontractors and major equipment vendors. Construction typically takes nine months to a year.
• Operating and maintaining
  Our experienced staff and specialized service providers operate and maintain our wind projects and transmission assets to ensure they continue to run at peak performance.