Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) has won regulatory approval to acquire the planned 266km (165-mile) Western Spirit transmission line that will enable developer Pattern Development to build more than $1bn of new wind projects.

PNM, the state’s largest electric utility, agreed to pay $285m once the project is operational in 2021. The state’s Renewable Energy Transmission Authority (RETA), a quasi-governmental entity that owns rights to the $360m, 345kV line, will build it in partnership with Pattern.