Duke Energy Sustainable solutions acquires Pike Solar plant for Colorado Springs

In a move that will benefit customers of Colorado Springs Utilities, Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions (DESS) this week acquired the Pike Solar power plant being built in Colorado’s El Paso County, promising 175 MW of new electricity offerings.

“We’re pleased to continue expanding our solar portfolio in Colorado,” Chris Fallon, president of DESS, said. “This project will support the renewable energy goals of Colorado Springs Utilities and allow them to reduce energy costs while providing diverse and cleaner energy solutions for their customers.”

The project was started by global solar power developer JUWI Inc., which will maintain some operation and maintenance responsibilities even under the new arrangement with DESS. JUWI will handle the engineering, procurement, and construction of Pike Solar, while necessary solar modules will be acquired by DESS.

Work is currently focused on civil work and racking installation, but the facility is expected to reach commercial operation later this year. It consists of more than 414,000 solar panels spread across approximately 1,310 acres outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

“Pike Solar is our company’s largest single project worldwide,” Stephan Hansen, JUWI’s Group COO, said. “We are pleased to work with Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions, Colorado Springs Utilities Board, and El Paso County’s local officials to add additional clean and cost-effective generation in Colorado, our home base in the U.S.”

From this addition, DESS – a non-regulated commercial brand of Duke Energy – brings its total power from Colorado solar projects to 248 MW. Separately, Colorado Springs Utilities will purchase the electricity generated by Pike Solar under a 17-year agreement, which CEO Travas Deal stated would be integral to its attempts to cut carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2030.