Lightsource bp Partners up for 300 MW Solar Project in Colorado

By Ayush Verma/ Updated On Thu, Aug 13th, 2020

McCarthy Building Companies has been named by Lightsource bp as the EPC Contractor for the 300 MW Bighorn Solar project in Colorado

McCarthy Building Companies’ Renewable Energy & Storage team has been named by Lightsource bp as the Engineer, Procure, and Construction (EPC) Contractor for the 300 MW Bighorn solar project in Colorado, which will include the installation of nearly 750,000 Canadian Solar crystalline solar panels and NEXTracker single-axis trackers.

The project is primarily located on 1,800 acres of land on EVRAZ Rocky Mountain Steel property in Pueblo, making it the largest on-site solar facility dedicated to a single customer in the country. Xcel Energy, as the electrical provider for the steel mill, will purchase the electricity wholesale from Lightsource bp to sell to EVRAZ Rocky Mountain Steel, providing cost effective and predictable electricity rates that are helping ensure that the steel mill that employs 1,000 local workers is able to remain in Pueblo as well as expand their operations.

In September 2019, Xcel Energy and Lightsource bp announced that they had signed a long-term power contract for a new solar power facility in Pueblo, Colorado. One of the largest solar infrastructure projects in the state, the 300 megawatt Bighorn Solar project is being developed and financed by Lightsource bp, who will be the long-term owner and operator.

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We selected the McCarthy team as our EPC contractor both for their track record in successfully building large utility-scale projects here in Colorado as well as their commitment to hiring a local workforce. This project is a great example of how innovative partnerships can maximize the economic benefits that clean energy projects bring to local communities. At Lightsource bp, we’re excited to partner with organizations that will help us be a leader in a transition to low carbon energy that includes everyone,” said Kevin Smith, CEO of the Americas for Lightsource bp.

Governor Jared Polis said that Colorado and the Pueblo community continue to advance a bold national model about how to take advantage and harness the power of the clean energy economy. “This project is the latest example of the sweeping benefits of investing in renewable energy, including cutting pollution, and increasing local job growth.”