Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) and Guzman Energy announced the execution of a Power Purchase Agreement (“PPA”) for a 10.98 MWdc solar array with 8.75 MW / 17.5 MWh of battery storage. Named Amalia II, the renewable energy facility will be constructed in Amalia, NM.
The Amalia II solar with battery storage site is targeted for completion in the second quarter of 2025. The first phase, Amalia I, began commercial operations in May 2012 and provides 1.25 MW of solar power generation. The Amalia II facility will be the second largest solar facility in the almost 50 MW KCEC local solar power generation footprint.
A unique aspect of the Amalia II renewable energy generation project was the coordination between KCEC and the Rio Costilla Cooperative Livestock Association (RCCLA). The RCCLA membership of local ranching, farming and hunting families owns and manages the land, known as Rio Costilla, where the Amalia II array is sited. Known as the “caretakers of the land”, RCCLA’s mission is to sustain and grow the abundant wildlife population in the area. Located near the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, Rio Costilla is noted for spectacular mountain views of Latir, Mount Blanca and Ortiz Peaks. The siting of the array was done in coordination with RCCLA in order to preserve the beauty of the land, not impede wildlife migration, and create the future possibility to leverage the array site for agrivoltaic use.
“Amalia II is a great example of renewable energy development planning starting with discussion and listening in the local community. Understanding the goals and concerns of the land keepers, in this case RCCLA, was critical in getting project planning agreement,” said Luis A. Reyes, Jr., CEO of KCEC. “The Amalia II project fits into the community vision and supports RCCLA’s mission to support community agriculture, farming, ranching, logging and hunting while generating clean renewable energy for the community.”
Renewable energy developer Luminace will build and maintain the Amalia II facility. Guzman Energy will oversee all energy management including the dispatching of the battery storage system.
Guzman Energy has been the wholesale power provider to KCEC since 2016, when the coop exited its contract with Tri-State Generation and Transmission in order to provide the coop with more control over its energy mix and give its members more cost-effective and rate stable local energy.
The addition of Amalia II will further help KCEC meet its clean energy goals, including becoming one of the cleanest energy cooperatives in America. Amalia II will also contribute to the state of New Mexico’s objective to achieve a statewide reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 45% by the year 2030.
