The San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm, located near Palm Springs, is one of the United States’ earliest and most recognizable large-scale wind energy developments. The area’s geography creates a consistent, powerful wind resource ideal for power generation. The pass acts as a natural funnel, channeling air between the San Jacinto and San Bernardino mountain ranges. This corridor facilitates a stable flow as cooler, denser air from the Pacific Coast is pulled inland toward the hotter, lower-pressure desert environment of the Coachella Valley. This reliable resource established the site as a pioneering location for commercial wind power generation starting in the early 1980s.
The Scale of the San Gorgorio Pass Wind Farm
The wind farm complex stretches over approximately 70 square miles between the mountain ranges. Its physical appearance has changed dramatically over the decades due to repowering. At its peak in 1987, the pass hosted over 4,200 smaller, older turbines with lower individual power ratings.
Modernizing the facility involves replacing these older units with fewer, much larger, and more technologically advanced turbines. This effort has significantly reduced the total count of visible turbines while boosting overall output. The farm complex currently operates approximately 667 wind turbines.
These newer turbines are physically imposing, with some blades reaching heights of nearly 500 feet. Although the total number of units has dropped, the energy capture capability per turbine has increased substantially. This leads to a more efficient use of the available land and ensures the facility remains a contributor to California’s renewable energy goals.
Installed Capacity and Average Annual Generation
To determine the power output, it is necessary to distinguish between installed capacity and actual generation. Installed capacity, or nameplate capacity, represents the maximum potential power the farm can produce under ideal conditions. As of 2025, the total installed capacity for the San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm complex is estimated to be around 656 megawatts (MW).
Actual electricity produced, known as average annual generation, is measured in megawatt-hours (MWh) or gigawatt-hours (GWh). The difference between maximum potential and real-world output is explained by the capacity factor. This factor reflects how often and how strongly the wind blows in the area.
Due to ongoing repowering with modern turbines, current generation figures are much higher than in previous decades. Recent estimates suggest the complex’s annual output is sufficient to power approximately 195,000 average homes. This higher output is achieved because modern machines have higher capacity factors and capture a greater percentage of the available wind energy.
Factors Influencing Power Output
The power generated by the turbines fluctuates constantly based on several dynamic variables. The most direct influence is the speed of the wind passing through the corridor. Turbines require a minimum “cut-in speed” to begin generating electricity and automatically shut down at a high “cut-out speed” to prevent damage.
The most efficient production occurs at a specific “rated speed,” where the turbine reaches its maximum capacity. The San Gorgonio Pass is characterized by stable wind flows averaging between 15 and 20 miles per hour, which is often within the optimum range for many installed machines.
The physical properties of the air also play a role in generation. Air density, affected by temperature and altitude, influences how much kinetic energy the blades can extract. Warmer desert air is less dense than cooler air, which slightly reduces overall power output even if the wind speed remains constant.
The age and technology of the specific turbine model significantly affect performance. Older units, often rated below 200-kW, are less efficient than the newer, multi-megawatt units (typically 3.0 to 4.3 MW) installed during repowering. Replacing older machines with fewer, taller, and more powerful units is the primary way the farm increases its total generation capability.