Utilities, Commercial, Solar, Sourcing Renewables  -  November 14, 2017

IBM, NextEra win bid for 6 MW Colorado solar project

IBM Corp. and a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Inc. are partnering up to build a 6 MW solar array at the global technology company's resiliency services facility in Boulder, Colo., after winning a request for proposals from Xcel Energy Inc.'s Colorado utility through its Large Solar*Rewards program. 

IBM, in partnership with NextEra, will build the ground-mounted, solar tracking array on 54 acres of IBM property that was formerly being farmed; the fenced area around the array will become a grazing area for sheep, according to Xcel Energy. IBM anticipates reducing emissions by as much as 5,900 metric tons of carbon dioxide once the project is completed in late 2018.

"IBM has corporate objectives to reduce emissions and increase the use of renewable energy for its operations," IBM Boulder Senior Location Executive Pete Lorenzen said in a statement. "IBM has also reiterated its support for the Paris Climate Agreement, a commitment by governments around the globe to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This project is another way IBM is taking action to achieve real results."

Xcel said in a Nov. 6 news release that the IBM and NextEra Energy Resources Acquisitions LLC project was chosen from 15 bids from seven developers based on price for the renewable energy credit. The utility said it will make two more offerings through the Solar*Reward program in 2018 and 2019 for up to 10 MW and 14 MW, respectively.

David Eves, president of Xcel Energy's Colorado utility touted the announcement as an example of how the company is enabling the growth of renewable energy.

"It's also an example of providing customers individual control over their energy choices, a key component of the 'Our Energy Future' initiative outlined in 2016," Eves said in a statement. 

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