Consortium proposes large solar power plant

subscribe

A consortium of companies is looking at land east of Pueblo for what could be one of the nation's largest solar-power projects.

Helios Energy Partners want to build a 200- to 300-megawatt solar plant. The $900 million proposal calls for a partnership among Pueblo County, Helios and the Pueblo Chemical Depot.

The solar arrays would be installed on land at the depot. The likely customer for the electricity would be Xcel Energy, which is taking bids to add more power from renewable energy sources.

A 200-megawatt plant could generate enough power for about 60,000 homes.

Pueblo County commissioners and the county attorney are review a proposed partnership with Helios.

"We're looking at a partnership with the county in an effort to respond to a request for proposals from Xcel Energy," said Paul Seby, a Helios manager.

Helios is a consortium of three companies: developer KRS Energy, solar panel-manufacturer SolFocus and a financial company that will remain private for now under a nondisclosure agreement.

The group is seeking the county's support for the proposal. In return, Seby said the county could possibly share in the profits besides gaining new jobs and tax revenue for the area.

Seby said the county's support could lend weight to Helios' bid on Xcel's proposal and help the effort to build on unused land at the Pueblo Chemical Depot.

The Army plans to destroy more than 2,600 tons of mustard agent in projectiles and cartridges stored at the 21,000-acre site. Helios is seeking a minimum of 2,000 to 3,000 acres of the unused land.

Related News

How waves could power a clean energy future

NEW YORK - Waves off the coast of the U.S. could generate 2.64 trillion kilowatt hours of electricity per year — that’s about 64% of last year’s total utility-scale electricity generation in the U.S. We won’t need that much, but one day experts do hope that wave energy will comprise about 10-20% of our electricity mix.

“Wave power is really the last missing piece to help us to transition to 100% renewables, ” said Marcus Lehmann, co-founder and CEO of CalWave Power Technologies, one of a number of promising startups focused on building wave energy converters.

But while scientists have long understood…

READ MORE
IAEA simulator

IAEA reactor simulators get more use during Covid-19 lockdown

READ MORE

canada grid

Canada Invests Over $960-Million in Renewable Energy and Grid Modernization Projects

READ MORE

bc hydro sign

BC Hydro electricity demand down 10% amid COVID-19 pandemic

READ MORE

uk-to-end-coal-power-after-142-years

UK to End Coal Power After 142 Years

READ MORE