Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions (DESS) has acquired Pike Solar, a solar power plant being constructed for customers of Colorado Springs Utilities, from JUWI Inc., a global solar power developer. Financial details were not disclosed.
Pike Solar contains more than 414,000 solar panels on about 1,310 acres just outside the city limits of Colorado Springs, Colo. Pike Solar will provide 175 megawatts of electricity to Colorado Springs Utilities customers — enough electricity to power approximately 46,300 homes.
Colorado Springs Utilities will purchase the electricity from Pike Solar under a 17-year deal. JUWI is responsible for the engineering, procurement and construction of the project. Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions will procure the solar modules.
JUWI and Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions will each have operation and maintenance responsibilities. With this addition, Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions has three solar projects in Colorado totaling 248 megawatts.
“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,” said Chris Fallon, president of Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions.
“Projects like Pike Solar are integral to our ability to reach our Energy Vision goal of achieving 80 percent carbon reduction by 2030,” said Travas Deal, acting chief executive officer for Colorado Springs Utilities.
The solar plant is scheduled to achieve commercial operation in late 2023.
“Pike Solar is our company’s largest single project worldwide,” says JUWI’s Group COO Stephan Hansen.
The project is expected to employ 350 at peak construction.