California leaders joined engineers at renewable energy company Terra-Gen Power for the groundbreaking ceremony for a 1,500-megawatt wind farm.

The project will provide enough power for 1.1 million California consumers and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 52 million tons, the company said in a statement.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said state policies in the renewable energy sector were to thank in part for the launch of the project.

"Having the world's largest wind project break ground in our state is tangible evidence that our pioneering policies are drawing investment, improving the economy and creating jobs now when we need them most," he said.

The wind farm will feature 600 wind turbines and increase the wind-power capacity in California by 25 percent.

Source: www.upi.com/california launches massive wind farm