Holy Cross Energy (HCE), a nonprofit rural electric cooperative based in Western Colorado, announced a renewable energy swap agreement with Colorado wholesale energy company Guzman Energy. This two-way power purchase agreement (PPA) will allow the development of a new 100-MW wind farm to serve HCE’s members. Once the new wind resources enter service in 2021, the PPA will fulfill HCE’s commitment to clean energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals as outlined in its seventy70thirty plan earlier this year.
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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