Public power utility Colorado Springs Utilities on July 17 said that it has signed agreements with developers for two utility-scale solar projects that will total 95 megawatts.
The two projects will boost the utility’s solar energy offering to 130 megawatts. Combined with hydro power, the utility’s renewable energy portfolio will total about 15 percent of its summer generating capacity when the projects come online, Colorado Springs Utilities said.
The energy generated by both projects combined will be purchased by Springs Utilities for less than $31 per megawatt hour.
Details on projects
Colorado Springs Utilities and Colorado-based renewable energy company juwi Inc. signed a 20-year contract to supply the utility with renewable energy from the Palmer Solar Project totaling 60 MW.
The approximately 500-acre site selected for this project is part of Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District’s property, located in El Paso County, with juwi being responsible for developing, building and operating the facility expected to come online by December 2020.
With respect to the second project, Colorado Springs Utilities and a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources signed a 25-year contract to supply the public power utility with renewable energy from the Grazing Yak Project totaling 35 MW.
The approximately 270-acre site selected for this project located south of Calhan, Colo. NextEra will be responsible for developing, building and operating the facility planned to come online in late 2019.
