Taos, NM – January 13, 2025 –
Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) has been awarded $231 million in funding to develop a groundbreaking renewable energy facility powered by green hydrogen and solar energy. This initiative aims to bolster the power distribution system’s resiliency across KCEC’s service area in northern New Mexico.
Project Highlights:
- Renewable Energy Generation: The project will generate 104 MW of energy from 100% renewable sources, providing a robust long-duration energy storage solution.
- Community Impact: It is expected to power approximately 25,000 homes and deliver around $298 million in economic benefits to rural communities, creating up to 350 local jobs during construction.
- Environmental Benefits: The clean energy initiative aims to reduce climate pollution by nearly 98,000 tons annually, equivalent to the emissions from over 20,700 gasoline-powered vehicles.
- Tax Revenue: The project is projected to generate over $44 million in tax revenue over the next five years, benefiting local economies.
This funding supports the already announced KCEC Questa Green Hydrogen Project, which will utilize solar energy to power hydrogen facilities, repurpose wastewater from a former mining site, and incorporate long-duration energy storage technology lasting up to 16 hours. This project is anticipated to be the first of its kind in the U.S. for end-to-end clean-powered green hydrogen production.
Quotes from Leadership:
KCEC Board Chairman Bobby Ortega emphasized the significance of this funding, stating, “This USDA RUS announcement awarding KCEC $231 million in funding is among the most significant milestones in the coop’s history. This financial award will bring to fruition the first green hydrogen project of this type done by an electric cooperative in the nation.”
KCEC CEO Luis A. Reyes Jr. expressed gratitude to the USDA, stating, “This will be a game-changer for KCEC, ensuring a reliable power supply even during challenging conditions and allowing first responders and the community to access life-saving power during emergencies such as wildfires or extreme natural disasters.”
Commitment to Renewable Energy:
KCEC has been proactive in its energy transition strategy, having achieved its goal of 100% daytime solar by 2022 while stabilizing electric rates. The cooperative operates 42 MW of distributed solar resources and 16.25 MW of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) across its service territory.
In alignment with New Mexico’s Energy Transition Act (ETA), KCEC is committed to expanding its renewable energy portfolio, positioning itself as one of the cleanest cooperatives in America and setting a blueprint for others to follow.
References:
- Kit Carson Electric Cooperative Press Release
- USDA Rural Utilities Service Announcement
- New Mexico Energy Transition Act Documentation
- Local News Reports on Renewable Energy Initiatives
