The new Colorado wind farm is scheduled to begin operations by mid-2021. Learn more about HCE’s Seventy70Thirty commitment here.

Guzman Energy will use the remaining 50 MW to serve other communities in its customer base. Guzman has the option to commission another 50 MW in increased project size, and expand its share of the project to 100 MW.

“The agreement we have signed today with Guzman Energy and NGC Partners is an important step in fulfilling our Seventy70Thirty commitment to clean energy, while maintaining reliable and affordable energy supply for our members and the communities they live in,” said Steve Beuning, HCE VP of power supply and programs.

HCE’s ambitious Seventy70Thirty renewable energy goals call for achieving 70% annual energy from clean and renewable sources, with a 70% reduction in CO₂ emissions from 2014 levels no later than 2030. HCE and Guzman Energy entered into a partnership last December to accelerate HCE’s progress toward meeting these goals without increasing power costs for their members.

“These new and additional renewable energy resources extend our leadership of the responsible transition to a clean energy future, well in advance of our stated 2030 goals,” added Beuning.

In addition to other new renewable resources, the development of this wind farm will put HCE on a path to meet these goals earlier than expected.

“This new project is the culmination of a lot of hard work to implement a creative partnership and solution that will help western Colorado communities transition toward a cleaner, more affordable energy future,” said Kathleen Staks, Guzman Energy’s director of external affairs. “We are proud to help HCE meet their ambitious energy goals and are excited to add more clean energy to our portfolio to benefit all of our customers.”

The new wind farm is scheduled to begin operations by mid 2021.

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Energy cooperative Holy Cross Energy and wholesale energy company Guzman Energy made a renewable energy agreement, and the two-way PPA will spur the development of a 100-MW wind farm for HCE members.

“With today’s announcement, HCE continues to lead the responsible transition to a clean energy future, while maintaining affordable and reliable electricity to our members,” said Bryan Hannegan, president and CEO of HCE. “Our new partnership with Guzman Energy will raise the amount of renewable energy in our power supply mix to almost 70% by 2021 — nine years earlier than promised.”

Additionally, Guzman Energy will utilize, as necessary, HCE’s stake in Unit 3 of the Comanche Generating Station in Pueblo, Colorado, a 750-MW coal-fired generating unit. This resource will supplement the 250 MW of renewable energy that will be built as part of Guzman’s recent renewable RFP.

All resources will be used to serve Guzman’s wholesale customers in New Mexico and Colorado and together will result in a capacity mix that is approximately 75% renewable.

“This deal allows HCE to meet their renewable energy goals without increasing cost, adds more renewables to the grid in the West and supplements Guzman’s overall resource mix with reliable baseload, as needed,” said Jeff Heit, managing director with Guzman Energy. “It’s another example of what can be accomplished if stakeholders work together to find innovative ways to transition to the new energy economy.”

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