McCarthy to EPC 300-MW Lightsource BP project in Pueblo, Colorado

McCarthy Building Companies’ Renewable Energy & Storage team was named by Lightsource BP as the EPC contractor for the 300-MW Bighorn Solar project in Xcel Energy territory in Pueblo, Colorado.
The project, using Canadian Solar panels on NEXTracker single-axis trackers, is 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.
“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,” said Kevin Smith, CEO of the Americas for Lightsource BP. “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.”
In addition to the local economic benefits that Bighorn Solar is bringing to Pueblo through its contribution to the economics of the steel mill and its new expansion, the project will create approximately 300 direct jobs on site, the majority of which will be hired from the local community, for the 12- to 14-month construction period beginning this fall. Bighorn Solar is expected to complete in late 2021.
Area residents interested in working on the Bighorn Solar project should visit www.McCarthy.com/careers/search, and enter “solar” to find job postings for positions ranging from entry level to experienced, including laborer, operator, crew lead, electrician, and journeyman electrician.
“Knowing the significant impact that Bighorn Solar will have on the community of Pueblo, Colorado, makes it extremely rewarding to be part of building the project,” said Scott Canada, Executive Vice President of McCarthy’s Renewable Energy & Storage Group. “The renewable energy sector is helping communities around the country to benefit from jobs and meeting their clean energy goals. Our workforce training program is designed to do exactly that, along with helping more people begin to develop careers in renewable energy.”
Lightsource BP is a corporate sponsor of GRID Alternatives, a national non-profit making renewable energy technology and job training accessible to low-income communities and communities of color.
Through this partnership, Lightsource BP is sponsoring economic development programs in the state of Colorado, including a free solar training program for un- and underemployed workers in Pueblo. While the primary goal of the program is to train participants for the solar industry, graduates leave with valuable experiences that are transferable to the general construction, electrical, and mechanical trades. Lightsource BP is also a sponsor of an upcoming event with GRID Alternatives in Pueblo that highlights the installation of a community solar project benefitting low-income residents.