Rocky Mountain Solar 500 project

Project overview

Project details

• Developed on 3,300 acres of privately owned and State Trust land

• Provides clean energy to Xcel Energy customers

• 2027 estimated operational date

• Up to 25-year project life with AES as long-term owner operator

Economic and environmental benefits

• 1.25 million+ MWh of carbon-free electricity each year

• 981,000 tons of CO2 emissions expected to be offset each year, equivalent to the emissions generated by burning over 100 million gallons of gasoline in one year

• Project will increase patronage to local businesses and services through an expanded workforce

• AES cultivates local partnerships with organizations for economic and social impact

• Low-cost supply of clean energy at a long-term fixed cost over the project lifetime

• No permanent service requirements for the site, including the use of water and sewer

AES is deeply committed to working with the community, area leaders, policymakers and regulators to responsibly develop and operate all of its clean energy projects. Our strategic approach is to engage early and often with local stakeholders to share information about the project and most importantly, gather feedback to address issues that may arise. This proactive approach to stakeholder engagement is intended to ensure the local community’s questions and concerns are addressed and enable timely approvals.

Environmental and technical studies

AES’ RMS project was studied extensively and carefully planned to have no negative impact on regulated habitats, threatened and endangered species or cultural/historical resources. AES is conducting ongoing consultations with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure on the sanctity of the land.

• Cultural and Archaeological survey – Complete

• Boundary & Topographic survey – Complete

• Biological Resources review – Complete

  • Site visit to look for presence of threatened and/or endangered species and waterbodies

• Biological Studies – Complete

  • Wetlands and waterbodies

  • Habitat

  • Sensitive species’ habitat

• Geotechnical survey - Complete

• FEMA Flood Plain Analysis – Complete

• Phase 1 ESA – Complete

Community engagement

AES is committed to being a good neighbor to the Pueblo County community. We value our relationships with local partners and community members, and we work diligently to maximize the positive impact our clean energy projects have on local communities. Our projects are intentionally developed to create lasting positive benefits for landowners and to create significant economic opportunities in the community over the life of the project, without burdening existing infrastructure.

This is why we collaborate with a broad cross section of community leaders from government, local business, education, social services and residents to identify opportunities where AES can provide financial support, volunteerism and other types of partnership to support high-impact initiatives, programs and institutions in the local communities.

AES current local community engagement

• Member of Pueblo Chamber of Commerce

• Member of Pueblo Economic Development Corporation

• Workforce Development Program created for Coloradan residents for solar installation training and certification

• Donation to the Pueblo Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

Colorado solar workforce program