Wind towers gain approval in San Luis

Photo Credit: Photo by Clean Wind Energy. Courtesy of Sharone Williams.

A rendering of the wind energy station.

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May 8, 2012 • Casey Morrison, Staff Writer
Filed under News

The Planning and Zoning Commission had approved Clean Wind Energy’s request to use 1,700 acres to build two 3,000ft downdraft towers a 5-1 vote. The towers, located between Avenues A and C south of County 25th Street, will be used as a new source of energy and will be distributed to companies in Arizona and California.

A few wanted to hold off the vote until the public knew more about what was going on. Hipolito Reyes was the only person to vote no on the proposal. He wanted to hold off the vote until the public knew more about what Clean Wind Energy meant by saying it will be a first of its kind. Elizabeth Carpenter wanted to hold off the vote because she had a couple questions to ask about the project’s finances. The project will cost about 5 million dollars.

The towers will be 3,000 ft high and will be taller than any building in the world. Water from the Sea of Cortez which was desalted in Mexico will be pumped to the top of the two towers. The water will be then shot out from mist like sprayers and cool the hot air. Once cooled the hot air is more dense than the air around it causing it to fall at up to speeds of up to 50mph to the tower into . Turbines at the bottom of the two towers will start spinning and power generators creating up to 2,500 megawatts of energy per hour, which Clean Wind Energy plans to sell to companies in Arizona and California. One third of that energy will be used to power its operations.

The towers will also create many jobs. While under construction, there will be 2,500 jobs. When the towers are done, there will be about 1,000 permanent job per tower and about 2,000 all together. There will be four shifts on the tower and about 250 people working per shift.

According to Clean Wind Energy, they choose San Luis because of the Ideal climate requirements and for the major employment opportunities. San Luis also offers grid access and conventional rail access.

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