SOLAR POWER IN COLORADO

National Grassland solar + storage project

in development

AES’ National Grassland solar-plus-storage project is a planned clean energy facility that will incorporate the most advanced solar and energy storage technologies. The project is designed to minimize impact on the local environment and will support Colorado’s clean energy goal of 100% renewable energy by 2040.

A field of solar panels is surrounded by tall grass under a blue sky with scattered clouds. Trees line the background, indicating a rural setting.

199 MW planned solar + 100 MW storage capacity

Illustration of a gray house with a blue line extending from its door to a horizontal line, transitioning from blue to green.

Enough clean energy to power 72K homes annually

Located in Baca County, CO

Our clean energy commitment

AES’ National Grasslands solar + storage project is a planned facility in Colorado. We are committed to responsible clean energy development that creates long-term value and positive impact for both the environment and local communities.

Two workers wearing hard hats walk between rows of solar panels in a field with green grass. The background features trees with autumn foliage in shades of orange and yellow under a clear sky.

Economic and environmental benefits

We believe in being a good neighbor, ensuring responsible clean energy development that benefits both the environment and local communities without burdening existing infrastructure.

406,400 tons

of CO2 emissions expected to be offset each year

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

300 local jobs

expected to be created during construction

Project details

1,120 acres of privately owned land will host the project
Provides clean energy to Xcel Energy customers
2025 estimated operational date
Up to 25-year project life with AES as long-term owner and operator
Utilizes land near existing electric grid infrastructure to minimize need for new overhead transmission lines
Will be designed in accordance with the latest applicable codes, safety standards, security, lighting, landscaping and noise requirements

Map showing a green L-shaped area on a gray background intersected by white lines. The lines are labeled with numbers 89 and 116.

Clean energy benefits

local communities

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

Local economic stimulus during and after construction

Improved air quality and reduced CO2 emissions

Social impact funding to area community organizations and non-profits

Non-permanent development and low-impact construction that ensures land can be sensitively restored to pre-project conditions at the end of the project’s life

Expected Project Timeline

Aerial view of agricultural fields with varying shades of green, separated by roads and property boundaries. The fields are surrounded by residential areas and industrial buildings. Major roads are labeled as 31 and 347.

2020 - 2026

Project Preparation

Development, Siting, Permitting

Aerial view of a construction site with a blue truck and a yellow trailer parked on a dirt path next to a green field. Nearby, a construction vehicle is working on a dirt area with wooden planks and a red crane. Several people are visible around the site.

2026 - 2028

In Development

Construction

A large solar farm with rows of solar panels stretching across a dry landscape. The panels are aligned in neat rows, reflecting sunlight under a partly cloudy sky. In the background, there are hills and distant mountains.

Sustainability Resources

Sustainability best practices

At AES, safety is our highest priority, and we’ve focused on improving lives for more than 40 years. As a leading innovator in energy solutions, sustainability is core to both our strategy and our culture. We are committed to responsible land use and incorporating sustainable best practices into the entire project lifecycle to build a more resilient future.

Environmental and technical studies

We conduct a series of studies that ensure our projects are thoughtfully and responsibly designed.
    •    Wetland and waterbody delineation
    •    Habitat Assessment
    •    Marsh bird survey
    •    Breeding Bird survey
    •    Rare Plant survey
    •    Winter raptor survey
    •    Hydrology study
    •    Wildlife Site Characterization

Local partnerships

At AES, we understand that our success as a company is only as strong as our partnerships with the communities where we operate. That’s why we partner with communities, customers, state agencies, higher education, elected officials, and other key stakeholders to see how we can best work together to support sustainable social and economic development.

Village of Arcade: Helped purchase new village signage to support community health and resilience initiatives, enhancing the well-being of residents.
Eagle Free Library: Supported capital improvements and the purchase of new technology to enhance library facilities, providing better access to resources and services for the community.
North Java Fire Department: Aided the purchase of life-saving equipment for first responders to support community safety.
AES is a proud member and partner of:
• Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce
• Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE NY)

Contact us

We appreciate your interest in AES’ National Grasslands Project. Please contact us using the information below.

communityinquiries@aes.com

720-418-8401