The first wind energy farm in Torrance County is another step closer to becoming operational.

Heavy construction is wrapping up at the High Lonesome Wind Ranch south of Willard, according to Charles Coleman, manager of financial communications for Edison International.

However, there's still work to be done before the wind ranch starts producing electricity. About 40 crew members remain on site, according to Ben Ramirez, site manager, who flew back to his home state of California on Friday.

As for continued work, the crew will now be working on installing transmission feeder lines, completing the operations and maintenance building, building roads on site and other items on the "punch list," or work after heavy construction is completed, Coleman said.

The site is expected to become operational sometime this summer. A ceremony celebrating this event is planned, but no date has been set yet, Coleman said.

The High Lonesome Mesa project is the first to be developed through a joint agreement between Edison Mission Group and Foresight Wind Energy LLC. The wind farm is expected to produce 100 megawatts of electricity and serve about 25,000 homes.

Central New Mexico Electric Cooperative filed a rate notice with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, established to provide wholesale back feed power service for the High Lonesome Mesa, according to a statement from the PRC.

The power that will be generated from the 40 High Lonesome turbines has been purchased by Arizona Public Service Co., Coleman said.

PNM transmission lines will be used to transport the power to the Four Corners area, Susan Sponar, spokeswoman for PNM said, then APS will be able to take it.

"We have all this great wind potential," Sponar said, "but you have to be able to harness it."

Now that one wind project is nearing the end in Torrance County, economic development agencies are trying to address the big issue with future wind energy projects — transmission of power.

"We're working with several renewable energy projects," said Myra Pancrazio executive director of the Estancia Valley Economic Development Association. "We are aware of the wind projects and the challenges we're facing such as transmission. It's these issues we need to address to move forward."

A town hall meeting is in the works for New Mexico renewable energy stakeholders, she said, but no date has been set.

Torrance County will still benefit financially from the project because of an ordinance adopted by the County Commission last year.

The county will receive payment in lieu of tax that will be split between the county and the Estancia School District, County Manager Joy Ansley said. According to the lease agreement, payments will be due Nov. 20, or 30 days after delivery of the first wind generating turbine, Ansley said.