Project overview

Power generation icon

602 MW solar plus 250 MW storage capacity

residential

Enough clean energy to power 173,160 homes annually

aes_icons-location

Pueblo County, Colorado, east of I-25

Project details

  • Developed on 3,300 acres of privately owned and State Trust land

  • Provides clean energy to Xcel Energy customers

  • 2027 estimated operational date

  • Up to 25-year project life with AES as long-term owner operator

Economic and environmental benefits

Smart Grid Icon

Utilizes land near existing electric grid infrastructure to minimize need for new overhead transmission lines

globe

Will be designed in accordance with the latest applicable codes, safety standards, security, lighting, landscaping and noise requirements

aes_icons_dollar

Expected economic benefits include new tax revenue and 340 local jobs during construction and operations

  • 1.25 million+ MWh of carbon-free electricity each year

  • 981,000 tons of CO2 emissions expected to be offset each year, equivalent to the emissions generated by burning over 100 million gallons of gasoline in one year

  • Project will increase patronage to local businesses and services through an expanded workforce

  • AES cultivates local partnerships with organizations for economic and social impact

  • Low-cost supply of clean energy at a long-term fixed cost over the project lifetime

  • No permanent service requirements for the site, including the use of water and sewer

AES is deeply committed to working with the community, area leaders, policymakers and regulators to responsibly develop and operate all of its clean energy projects. Our strategic approach is to engage early and often with local stakeholders to share information about the project and most importantly, gather feedback to address issues that may arise. This proactive approach to stakeholder engagement is intended to ensure the local community’s questions and concerns are addressed and enable timely approvals.

Environmental and technical studies

AES’ RMS project was studied extensively and carefully planned to have no negative impact on regulated habitats, threatened and endangered species or cultural/historical resources. AES is conducting ongoing consultations with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure on the sanctity of the land.

  • Cultural and Archaeological survey – Complete

  • Boundary & Topographic survey – Complete

  • Biological Resources review – Complete

    • Site visit to look for presence of threatened and/or endangered species and waterbodies

  • Biological Studies – Complete

    • Wetlands and waterbodies

    • Habitat

    • Sensitive species’ habitat

  • Geotechnical survey - Complete

  • FEMA Flood Plain Analysis – Complete

  • Phase 1 ESA – Complete

Community engagement

AES is committed to being a good neighbor to the Pueblo County community. We value our relationships with local partners and community members, and we work diligently to maximize the positive impact our clean energy projects have on local communities. Our projects are intentionally developed to create lasting positive benefits for landowners and to create significant economic opportunities in the community over the life of the project, without burdening existing infrastructure.

This is why we collaborate with a broad cross section of community leaders from government, local business, education, social services and residents to identify opportunities where AES can provide financial support, volunteerism and other types of partnership to support high-impact initiatives, programs and institutions in the local communities.

 

AES current local community engagement

  • Member of Pueblo Chamber of Commerce

  • Member of Pueblo Economic Development Corporation

  • Workforce Development Program created for Coloradan residents for solar installation training and certification

  • Donation to the Pueblo Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

Colorado solar workforce program

Contact us

We want to hear from you! We appreciate your interest in AES’ RMS 500 project.

Phone number: 720-418-8401

Email: communityinquiries@aes.com

Stay updated

 

If you are interested in receiving project updates about the RMS 500 project, please fill out and submit this form.

CAPTCHA