Skip to content

United Power signs power purchase agreement with NextEra Energy Resources

Agreement adds 150 MW of solar to the cooperative’s power mix
2024-04-09-up
Under the 25-year agreement, United Power will receive output from NextEra Energy Resources’ South Platte Solar project, which is scheduled to begin operations in December 2027.

NEWS RELEASE
UNITED POWER
**************************
BRIGHTON – United Power, Inc. (United Power), an electric cooperative serving Colorado’s northern Front Range, and a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, the world's largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun and a world leader in battery storage, announce the signing of a power purchase agreement on April 9. Under the 25-year agreement, United Power will receive output from NextEra Energy Resources’ South Platte Solar project, which is scheduled to begin operations in December 2027.

“United Power continues to build on our growing portfolio of local, renewable resources under this agreement,” stated Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “Our strategy is to continue to add resources to our power mix that complement our growth. This new resource is scheduled to come online at the end of 2027 to offset the ongoing territory growth that we expect to see.”

NextEra Energy Resources, the owner and operator of the South Platte Solar project, is building the 150 MW facility in Morgan County. The solar installation is expected to generate more than 350,000 MWh annually.

“We are thrilled to work with United Power to deliver clean, sustainable energy to its members through our South Platte Solar project,” said Jim Shandalov, VP of Power Origination at NextEra Energy Resources. “Adding 150 MW of solar energy to its supply mix will enable United Power to deliver cost-effective, clean energy in response to its growing power demand.”

United Power serves more than 110,000 meters and maintains and operates over 6,500 miles of distribution line. The 900-square mile service territory wraps around the north and west borders of the Denver International Airport. It includes the north and northeast metropolitan development corridors along Interstate 25, Interstate 76, State Highway 85, and E-470 and the Golden Gate and Coal Creek canyons, two of Colorado’s most iconic and historic mountain canyons. As a result of its geographic location, United Power’s system is experiencing significant demand and energy growth, averaging approximately 6% annually.

United Power is building an energy portfolio ahead of leaving its current wholesale power supplier on May 1. Since July 2023, the cooperative has announced multiple agreements with providers and generation sources for portfolio assets related to this exit. To learn more about these contracts and United Power’s power supply transition, visit www.unitedpower.com/powersupply.

**************************