COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.,
Oct. 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
Officials from Colorado Springs Utilities and NextEra Energy
Resources joined local community leaders today to celebrate the
commissioning of the Clear Spring Ranch Solar Array south of
Colorado Springs.
"This project helps Colorado Springs Utilities meet its
renewable energy commitments and diversify its energy production
portfolio, while enjoying the economic advantages of solar power,"
said Matt Handel, vice president of
Development for NextEra Energy Resources. "Gov. Hickenlooper and
the state Legislature deserve a lot of credit for creating a
supportive environment and policies for the cost-effective
deployment of renewable resources."
The 10-megawatt single-axis array features approximately 42,000
solar panels capable of powering approximately 3,000 average homes.
A subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources developed and built the
ground-mounted solar array and will own, operate and maintain it
over the term of a 25-year agreement with Colorado Springs
Utilities. Colorado Springs Utilities will continue to own the
Clear Spring Ranch land.
"This is a very exciting project for us in that it is our first
utility-scale solar array. All of our customers will benefit from
this clean, renewable energy generated right here in the Pikes Peak
region," said Colorado Springs Utilities CEO Jerry Forte. "This array also moves us
significantly closer to achieving our Energy Vision, which requires
20 percent of our total electric energy be produced through
renewable sources by 2020."
Throughout the term of the agreement, the array is expected to
generate enough solar energy to offset more than 18,600 tons of
carbon dioxide emissions that would have been produced if the
electricity had been generated using fossil fuels.
The Clear Spring Ranch project created approximately 100 jobs
during the construction phase, and is expected to generate
approximately $1 million in property
taxes over its life.
NextEra Energy Resources
NextEra Energy Resources,
LLC (together with its affiliated entities, "NextEra Energy
Resources"), is a clean energy leader and is one of the largest
wholesale generators of electric power in the U.S., with
approximately 18,260 megawatts of generating capacity, which
includes megawatts associated with noncontrolling interests related
to NextEra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: NEP), primarily in 25 states
and Canada as of April 2016. NextEra Energy Resources, together
with its affiliated entities, is the world's largest generator of
renewable energy from the wind and sun. The business operates
clean, emissions-free nuclear power generation facilities in
New Hampshire, Iowa and Wisconsin as part of the NextEra Energy
nuclear fleet, which is one of the largest in the United States. NextEra Energy Resources,
LLC is a subsidiary of Juno Beach,
Fla.-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more
information, visit www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.
Colorado Springs Utilities
For generations, Colorado
Springs Utilities has provided electricity, natural gas, water and
wastewater services to the Pikes Peak region. As a community-owned
utility, our customers enjoy competitive prices, exceptional
hometown service, responsible environmental practices and a voice
in how their utility operates.
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150511/215045LOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/colorado-springs-utilities-and-nextera-energy-resources-dedicate-clear-spring-ranch-solar-array-300348653.html
SOURCE NextEra Energy Resources, LLC