Independent power producer Pattern Energy reports that several of its company-owned wind farms were negatively impacted by global wind anomalies that crimped output during the first quarter.
According to Pattern, expected production at its wind power facilities in the western U.S. and Texas was off about 5% during the first quarter. Meteorologists also attribute the abnormal wind conditions to the above-average winter temperatures in these areas partly caused by the El Nino weather pattern over the Pacific Ocean. Wind measurement services provider Vaisala stated that the observed weather pattern is nothing unusual or outside of the range of the expected after their review of long-term global datasets.
According to Vaisala, average wind conditions across the western U.S. and Texas were off 20% or more below their normal January averages. For more on recent generation shortfalls, click here.
