Cramer Creek solar project

Project details

• 4,000 acres of privately owned land will host the project

• Provides clean energy to Xcel Energy customers

• 2027 estimated operational date

• Late 2025 estimated construction start

• Up to 25-year project life with AES as long-term owner operator

Expected project timeline

Economic and environmental benefits

• 1.5 million+ MWh carbon-free electricity each year

• 623,801 tons of CO2 emissions expected to be offset each year, equivalent to the emissions generated by burning nearly 115 million gallons of gasoline in one year

• $1.4 billion estimated capital investment into the economy over the project life

• $35 million estimated tax revenue over the project life

• Project will increase patronage to local businesses and services through an expanded workforce

• AES cultivates local partnerships with organizations for economic and social impact

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

• No permanent service requirements for the site, including the use of water and sewer

AES is deeply committed to working with the community, area leaders, policymakers and regulators to responsibly develop and operate all of its clean energy projects. Our strategic approach is to engage early and often with local stakeholders to share information about the project and most importantly, gather feedback to address issues that may arise. This proactive approach to stakeholder engagement is intended to ensure the local community’s questions and concerns are addressed and enable timely approvals.

Environmental and technical studies

AES’ Cramer Creek solar project was studied extensively and carefully planned to have no negative impact on regulated habitats; threatened and endangered species or cultural/historical resources. AES is conducting ongoing consultations with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure we avoid unwanted impact on the land.

• Biological Resources review – Completed December 2021

  • Site visit to look for presence of T&E species and waterbodies

• Biological Studies – Completed December 2021

  • Wetlands and waterbodies

  • Habitat

  • Sensitive species’ habitat

• FEMA Flood Plain Analysis – Completed December 2021

• Boundary & Topographic survey – Completed March 2022

• FAA Determination of No Hazard – Completed April 2022

• Desktop Geotechnical survey – Completed May 2022

• Phase 1 ESA – Completed August 2022

• ALTA Survey – Completed October 2022

• Preliminary Geotechnical site investigation – In Progress

• CPW – Wildlife coordination – In Progress

• SHPO – Cultural Resources memo – In Progress

• USF&W – Species coordination – In Progress

Project visuals

Community engagement

AES is committed to being a good neighbor to the Crowley County community. We value our relationships with local partners and community members, and we work diligently to maximize the positive impact our clean energy projects have on local communities. Our projects are intentionally developed to create lasting positive benefits for landowners and to create significant economic opportunities in the community over the life of the project, without burdening existing infrastructure.

This is why we collaborate with a broad cross section of community leaders from government, local business, education, social services and residents to identify opportunities where AES can provide financial support, volunteerism and other types of partnership to support high-impact initiatives, programs and institutions in the local communities.

AES current local community engagement

• Member of Crowley Chamber of Commerce

• Working with 4-H at the CSU Extension

• Workforce Development Program created for Colorado residents for solar installation training and certification

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