San Gorgonio Pass Windmills
Location & climate
The windmills you see along I‑10 aren’t in Palm Springs itself, but in the San Gorgonio Pass, a natural gap between the San Jacinto and San Gorgonio Mountains. This narrow corridor funnels ocean breezes into the Coachella Valley, creating a Venturi effect that makes it one of the windiest places in the United States. That consistent wind, plus proximity to major transmission lines, is why developers began building wind farms here in the early 1980s.
History & ownership
– Early years: In 1914 the Desert Power & Water Company experimented with small wind turbines but lacked the technology and market to succeed. The modern era began in 1982 when eight turbines were installed north of Palm Springs, launching California’s first commercial wind farm.
– Repowering: At its peak in 1987 the pass held about 4,200 small turbines. Repowering has replaced hundreds of early models with fewer, more efficient machines. By 2025 there are roughly 667 modern turbines across 27 separate projects delivering a combined capacity of about 656 MW.
– Operators: Ownership is diverse. Terra‑Gen operates several projects, including the 108‑MW Palm Springs project and the 43‑MW San Gorgonio project. Shell WindEnergy co‑owns the Cabazon (≈41 MW) and Whitewater Hill (61.5 MW) wind farms with Terra‑Gen. Salka Energy acquired the 37 MW Cabazon facility in 2023 and plans to refurbish it. Iberdrola/Avangrid operates the 45‑MW Dillon Wind Power Project, producing power for about 13,500 homes. Other participants include Cannon Power Group, Enel Green Power, and Southern California Edison as a long‑term energy buyer.
Power output & technology
– Electricity: Collectively, the windmills generate roughly 600 million kilowatt‑hours (kWh) of electricity per year—enough to power most of the Coachella Valley.
– Turbines: Modern units stand up to 500 ft tall with 150‑ft blades. Large models produce 4.8–9.5 MW each; the largest in the desert is 3 MW. A typical turbine costs around US$1 million.
– Efficiency gains: Repowering has cut the number of turbines dramatically while increasing output. Companies continue to swap out aging machines for taller, more powerful models to boost generation and reduce maintenance.
Maintenance & return on investment
Wind turbines are sophisticated machines exposed to abrasive desert sand. Maintenance includes lubricating moving parts, inspecting blades and gearboxes, replacing worn components and monitoring the condition of towers. Operating and maintenance costs average $40 k–$50 k per onshore turbine each year (around 1–2 ¢ per kWh produced). Because turbines age, these costs rise over time; proactive maintenance and sensor‑based monitoring help avoid failures.
The return on investment (ROI) depends on capital costs, wind conditions, and subsidies. With purchase and installation running into millions of dollars per turbine, payback periods typically span 12–20 years. Federal tax credits and renewable energy credits help improve ROI by lowering the effective cost per kilowatt‑hour.
Why here?
The San Gorgonio Pass is perfectly situated. Coastal air accelerates through the mountain gap, and the pass lies near existing transmission infrastructure. The combination of strong winds and grid access makes it economical to invest in wind power here. Outside the pass, wind speeds drop sharply—studies estimate areas away from the I‑10 corridor are 50–100 % less windy, underscoring the strategic value of this location.
Visiting the windmills
The wind farms have become a Coachella Valley landmark. Palm Springs Windmill Tours offers guided and self‑guided tours that take you up close to the turbines and explain how they work. Visitors learn about renewable energy, the history of the pass and the engineering behind modern turbines. It’s an easy side trip off I‑10 and pairs well with a visit to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway or other desert attractions.
Takeaway
The Palm Springs windmills are more than just a picturesque backdrop; they’re an early success story for large‑scale renewable energy in California. Multiple companies now operate state‑of‑the‑art turbines in the San Gorgonio Pass, producing hundreds of megawatts of clean power. Regular maintenance and strategic repowering have improved efficiency and extended the life of the projects. For travelers and locals alike, the windmills stand as a reminder of how natural forces and human ingenuity can work together to fuel the future.
