Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and EDP Renewables (EDPR) have announced a 104 MW, 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) that will enable the continued development and eventual construction of the 104 MW Crossing Trails Wind Farm in Colorado.
The project, which is expected to be operational in 2020, marks Tri-State’s fifth investment in a utility-scale wind energy project and expands EDP Renewables’ presence into its 15th U.S. state.
The Crossing Trails Wind Farm, located approximately 20 miles south of the Town of Seibert, is within both Kit Carson and Cheyenne counties. When operational, the wind farm will produce enough electricity to annually power more than 47,000 average rural Colorado homes. It will also bring economic benefits – including jobs, landowner and tax payments, and money spent in local communities – to the region and the state, says EDPR.
Tri-State, a wholesale cooperative power supplier owned by 43 member electric cooperatives and public power districts, will further expand its renewable energy portfolio with this agreement.
“EDP Renewables and Tri-State’s partnership represents our commitment to continuing to increase the clean energy landscape in the United States,” says Miguel Prado, CEO of EDPR. “EDPR is pleased to enter into the state of Colorado and provide cost-effective, emissions-free energy through its Crossing Trails Wind Farm.”
The Crossing Trails Wind Farm is located within the service territory of K.C. Electric Association, a Tri-State member system serving three counties in eastern Colorado. Like Tri-State, K.C. is a nonprofit, member-owned electric co-op.
“Membership in Tri-State allows K.C. Electric and our other members to combine their strengths to invest in renewable energy projects through the association at the lowest possible costs,” notes David Churchwell, general manager of K.C. Electric Association in Hugo. “We welcome EDP Renewables and Tri-State’s investment in eastern Colorado.”
Nearly one-third of the energy consumed by Tri-State’s members comes from renewable energy. With the addition of the Crossing Trails Wind Farm, Tri-State has now invested in five utility-scale wind farms in Colorado, totaling 471 MW.
