Bighorn solar

Key numbers

300MWᴅᴄ

/198MWᴀᴄ capacity

433,770

metric tons of CO2 saved per year

92,100

fuel-burning cars taken off road (equivalent)

300

local jobs created

$22M

local tax revenue

Current status

Site selection & preliminary design

Stakeholder outreach

Permitting & environmental studies

Land management & biodiversity planning

Final engineering, financing & construction

Operation & maintenance

Decommissioning & recycling

300MW powering the world’s first steel mill to run almost entirely on solar

One of Colorado’s largest solar projects, Bighorn Solar in the city of Pueblo entered commercial operation in December 2021. Lightsource bp developed, financed, and will continue to own and operate the 300 megawatt utility-scale solar project. Electricity generated from Bighorn Solar is delivered into the grid and purchased by Xcel Energy under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Lightsource bp. Xcel Energy is a major U.S. regulated electric and natural gas delivery company that serves approximately 3.7 million electricity and 2.1 million natural gas customers across parts of eight Midwestern and Western states.

Xcel Energy delivers electricity from Bighorn Solar to the EVRAZ North America Rocky Mountain Steel mill in Pueblo, one of the city’s largest employers. With its 20-year, fixed rate PPA structure, Bighorn Solar provides low-cost, stable electricity prices that the steel mill needed to stay in Pueblo and invest in its future there, supporting more than 1,000 jobs in the local community.

Bighorn Solar supports the broader Colorado Energy Plan, which will deliver 55% renewable energy to the grid by 2026 and reduce carbon emissions by 60%, as well as Xcel Energy’s bold vision to deliver 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050.

Xcel Energy and Lightsource bp are incredibly proud of this solar project, and the opportunities it offers the organizations and the local communities.

“If you were wondering what a renewable energy future would look like, this is a great example.”  – Colorado Governor Jared Polis, speaking at the announcement press conference

Videos of our Bighorn Solar project

Here are some project specific updates:

Bighorn: Where solar meets steel

The EVRAZ Rocky Mountain Steel Mill will become the first steel mill to run almost entirely on solar.

Introducing Bighorn Solar

Flyover footage of our site plans and extra information on the project

Creating & Retaining Jobs in Pueblo, Colorado

Our Bighorn Solar project is revitalizing the economy by creating jobs.

American Clean Power Week

Our Bighorn Solar project was featured during American Clean Power Week, 2021.

Gallery

FAQs

We’ve received lots of interest in our Bighorn Solar project, so we’ve put together a list of the most commonly asked questions, and their answers.

Get in touch

We are always on hand to assist with any enquiries. You can contact us via email or phone our customer services team.

info@lightsourcebp.com

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