Only days after we announced our plan to reduce carbon emissions by 80% and close our coal power plants by 2030, we added wind power to our portfolio.
For the next five years, Colorado Springs will receive 60 megawatts of renewable energy from two wind farms in northeast Colorado. Together, with our 114 megawatts of solar power, about 20% of our electric generation comes from renewable sources.
“This agreement supports our Energy Vision and its pillars of economic, environment, resiliency and innovation,” says Utilities Board Chairwoman Jill Gaebler. “It also demonstrates our commitment to a sustainable energy future for our community as we reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.”
An important value of long-term agreements to purchase both wind and solar energy is the fixed price of the energy. Long-term, fixed-price agreements help guard our customers against volatile fuel prices in the future.
The addition of wind power further diversifies our energy mix, which is important for energy resiliency and emissions reduction.
“Wind power is an excellent addition to our electric portfolio because it complements our solar generation,” said Chief Executive Officer Aram Benyamin. “Solar and wind are perfect partners because their generation profiles smooth out their daily and yearly peaks and valleys.”
This is because wind generation is typically stronger in the evenings and during the winter months. Solar energy production is at its best mid-day and during the summer months.
The renewable energy is produced at Spring Canyon II and III Wind Energy Centers located outside of Peetz, Colo., and have been in operation since 2014.
