Powering Forward: Gonzaga Wind Farm Project Update

The Gonzaga Wind Farm Project is moving steadily toward a major construction milestone. Since our last update, the team has transitioned from the front end of the site to the back side, focusing on final mass earthwork operations. Once this section is completed, the crew will return to the front to finalize finish grades, drainage ditches, and foundation backfill, setting the stage for turbine delivery and erection.

To date, the team has completed nine to ten foundation excavations, with three foundations already poured. Rebar crews are offloading and setting steel, ensuring that each foundation is ready to accept concrete. Meanwhile, the collection team is making progress on trenching their third run. Challenging soil conditions—including rock and clay—required creative solutions and adaptive planning to keep the project on schedule.

With the main laydown yard now cleared for construction, staging for all critical turbine components will begin shortly. This area will serve as the hub for tower sections and equipment before being transported to their respective pads. Civil crews are on the final string of mass earthwork with just three pads remaining before transitioning to crane pad installation.

A significant aspect of this project is the collaborative approach on site. Many operators are experiencing this scope of work for the first time, creating opportunities for innovation, teamwork, and skill development.

The project began with the demolition of 166 existing towers and is now entering its final year. Once completed, the Gonzaga Wind Farm will be fully operational, delivering renewable energy to the Los Banos area — helping power communities with clean, sustainable energy.