Gonzaga Ridge Wind Farm: Clark Bros. Delivers Complex Wind Repowering as EPC

• YearApril, 2026

• LocationPacheco State Park, California

Gonzaga Ridge Wind Farm

Clark Bros. served as the EPC contractor for the Gonzaga Ridge Wind Farm, delivering a complex utility-scale wind repowering project in Los Banos, California. The project replaced 168 aging turbines dating to the 1980s with 25 modern turbines capable of producing a combined 150 MW of renewable energy.

As EPC, Clark Bros. coordinated the engineering, procurement, construction, logistics, subcontractors, and field execution required to deliver the project safely and on schedule. The work was performed within an active state park and along State Route 152, in an environmentally sensitive, high-fire-risk, high-seismic setting that presented significant challenges for both construction and logistics.

The project required specialized civil and transportation solutions to navigate grades reaching 17 percent and a constrained access road approximately 20 feet wide. Hard rock encountered during construction required controlled on-site blasting to achieve required foundation excavation and road grades. Clark Bros. integrated these operations into the construction schedule while coordinating with State Parks and other regulatory stakeholders to remain within environmental and regulatory requirements.

Clark Bros. also managed a highly coordinated turbine logistics strategy. An on-site transload yard supported a just-in-time delivery model that synchronized tower, nacelle, and blade deliveries with installation readiness. Specialized Goldhofer trailers, blade lifters, and prime movers enabled oversized turbine components to move through steep and constrained access routes where conventional equipment could not operate effectively.

Environmental stewardship was central to the EPC execution strategy. Reduced turbine pad footprints and carefully planned road alignments minimized ground disturbance while maintaining safe construction access and long-term serviceability. During decommissioning, materials from the 168 existing turbines, including blades and metal components, were recycled rather than sent to landfill. Construction was completed while the state park remained active and open to the public.

Safety was another defining element of Clark Bros.' EPC delivery. The project incorporated a site-specific safety plan addressing remote terrain, heavy civil construction, wildfire exposure, specialized energy infrastructure, and high-voltage work. Fire prevention measures, Stop Work Authority protocols, daily job hazard analyses, pre-task planning, specialized training, and continuous field oversight were integrated throughout construction.

The project also represented an important milestone for California wind development. Gonzaga became a new wind facility entering the CAISO market after nearly a decade without a new California wind project. The Office of the State Fire Marshal served as the Authority Having Jurisdiction for its first utility-scale renewable energy and interconnection project, establishing a significant precedent for coordination between fire-safety authorities and large-scale renewable infrastructure.

Completed in April 2026, the Gonzaga Ridge Wind Farm demonstrates Clark Bros.' ability to deliver as an EPC partner on technically demanding renewable energy projects, bringing together engineering coordination, procurement, construction management, specialized logistics, environmental stewardship, regulatory coordination, and safety to deliver 150 MW of new renewable generation in one of the most challenging construction environments in California.