Guzman Energy will continue delivering wholesale power savings to KCEC; savings estimated between $150-170 million

Guzman Energy and Kit Carson Electric Cooperative announced the extension of their wholesale power supply agreement to continue through June 30, 2041. Established in 2016, the Guzman Energy partnership with KCEC provides KCEC with fixed wholesale power rates delivering savings and member rate stability. The existing contract has also enabled local decision-making for KCEC to expand local solar power generation and storage operations as they reach their goal of generating 100-percent summer daytime solar energy.

“The value that Guzman Energy provides our membership goes beyond cost savings. They have been consistent supporters of our community and share the KCEC Board vision to develop modern, resilient, and locally managed renewable energy assets,” said Luis A. Reyes, Jr., CEO of KCEC. “Guzman Energy is a true partner for energy transition strategy and execution, helping KCEC become one of the cleanest, most cost-effective power distribution cooperatives in America.”

With the contract extension, the Guzman Energy/KCEC wholesale power partnership is anticipated to deliver increased savings reaching $150 million to $170 million over the total lifetime of the contract. Access to and ownership of transmission lines is an important variable in estimating cost savings. In addition to savings, the Guzman Energy/KCEC partnership has delivered KCEC with fixed wholesale power rate stability as well as a spate of local renewable power generation projects, including the development of 41 MW of distributed solar along with 15 MW of accompanying battery storage.

“The KCEC Board and leadership team are fully committed to delivering on the needs of their local member-owners,” said Jeffrey M. Heit, Principal and Managing Director of Guzman Energy. “The Guzman Energy team looks forward to building on the success of the KCEC energy transition to-date. This is a partnership with big ideas and a track record of delivering.”

Key aspects of the contract extension include:

• 15-year extension of exclusive wholesale power provider contract
• Increased wholesale power savings: including the projected savings of the contract extension, the Guzman Energy/KCEC wholesale power partnership is expected to save KCEC $150 million to $170 million over the total lifetime of the contract
• Fixed wholesale power rates delivering power-cost stability for cooperative members
• Flexibility to add local, renewable power generation resources, including a commitment to the exploration of joint green hydrogen development in the KCEC service territory
• Continued goal to increase KCEC’s access to renewable energy; for the contract extension period, it is estimated that 60 percent of KCEC retail load will be served by renewable resources. As a result, it is expected that KCEC will exceed the Energy Transition Act (ETA) New Mexico statewide renewable energy standard of 50 percent by its 2030 target.
• Guzman Energy’s continued investment in the KCEC Community Fund