Renewable energy development company SunEdison has closed financing and commenced construction on the 156MW Comanche Solar project in Pueblo, Colorado.
Once completed, the project will stand as the largest solar power plant located east of the Rocky Mountains.
Paul Gaynor, SunEdison's executive vice president for EMEA and the Americas, said: “The Comanche Solar project demonstrates SunEdison's ability to deliver renewable energy at a price competitive with conventional resources. In addition, the Comanche Solar project will be financed through SunEdison's US$1.5 billion non-recourse, First Reserve Warehouse. This facility is designed to expand as projects move into construction without incremental equity contributions by SunEdison.”
Slated to be the largest PV plant in Colorado, the Comanche Solar project is expected to produce over 300 GWh of energy annually — enough to power 30,000 households.
Public Service Company of Colorado will purchase energy generated by the plant through a 25-year power purchase agreement with SunEdison.
Construction on the site will be managed by Renewable Energy Systems Americas (RES), a development, engineering and construction company based in Broomfield, Colorado.
Andrew Fowler, chief operating officer at RES, said: “Colorado has demonstrated a commitment to remain a leader in renewable energy. The Comanche Solar project will be RES' second large scale renewable energy project in this state and our sixth cooperative project with SunEdison.”
