Reported by CEN Staff

PUEBLO - A consortium of firms is seeking to build a 200- to 300-megawatt solar plant east of Pueblo. Helios Energy Partners met with Pueblo County commissioners this week about the proposed large solar power fields which could be a $900 million project when all is said and done.

The proposal calls for a partnership between Helios, the Pueblo Chemical Depot  and the county to build the large solar collector array on unused land at the depot.

The likely customer would be Xcel Energy, which is taking bids from energy providers under its plan to boost its renewable energy portfolio. April is the deadline for bids to be received.

The Pueblo facility could become the largest solar power
station in the nation if constructed. Based on industry
estimates, a 200-megawatt station could generate power for
60,000+ homes.

Pueblo County commissioners and the county attorney’s office are currently reviewing a proposed memorandum of understanding that would give Helios exclusivity in dealing with the county.

“We’re looking at a partnership with the county in an effort to respond to a request for proposals from Xcel Energy,” said Paul Seby, a project manager for Helios, in describing the project.

Helios, itself, is a consortium of three companies: developer KRS Energy, solar panel-manufacturer SolFocus and a financial company that is unnamed for now because a nondisclosure agreement.

Selby said the group is asking for the county to support the proposal and, in return, the county’s gains could go beyond the construction, new jobs and tax revenue to possibly include
a share of the profits.

Helios will seek to bid on the Xcel proposal with or without
the county memorandum but the county’s support would lend
weight to the bid, Seby added.

The county’s involvement would be beneficial when the company
approaches the Pueblo Chemical Depot Authority and U.S. Army
and asks for land to build the array, according to Selby.

The Pueblo Chemical Depot consists of more than 21,000 acres,
much of it unused. Only a small area of the depot is involved
with the military’s chemical agent deconstruction program.  The
military says it will eventually make all of its unused land
available for redevelopment to benefit Pueblo. A number of
smaller businesses currently use parts of the site.

Helios is seeking a minimum of 2,000 to 3,000 acres of the
currently unused land, depending on how much power Xcel would
purchase from the company. The company would invest at least
$900 million in the project if the land is made available,
according to Pueblo County Public Works Director, Greg
Severance. Selby noted that Helios also could ask for more land
in order to plan for possible expansion Selby said.

Pueblo County staff is encouraging Helios to request up to
5,000 acres, space enough for the company to also provide solar
energy for other utility companies, Severance said.