The Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, a Colorado-based electric cooperative, has finalized agreements for new renewable energy projects to meet the needs of its members. The non-profit wholesale power supplier announced that it has acquired two new solar power projects.
Tri-State Acquires Projects from JUWI Group
Tri-State acquired the projects from JUWI Inc., a subsidiary of the JUWI Group, an international renewable energy company based in Germany. The projects are the 145-megawatt Axial Basin Solar project in Moffat County, which will serve members of the White River Electric Association, and the 110-megawatt Dolores Canyon Solar project in Dolores County, serving members of Empire Electric Association.
Both solar projects are expected to begin supplying power to Tri-State’s member systems by late 2025, helping the cooperative reach its goal of achieving 50% renewable energy for its members.
“Through Tri-State, our members now have ownership in solar at a competitive cost,” said Tri-State CEO Duane Highley. “We greatly appreciate JUWI’s work with our team to complete this transaction for the purchase of these two solar projects.”
“We at JUWI are thrilled to collaborate with Tri-State on two of the initial 100+MW solar initiatives in Western Colorado,” stated Steve Ihnot, CFO of JUWI Inc. “We anticipate carrying out these projects with a focus on shared values such as safety, quality, community engagement, and delivering value to our customers.”
JUWI’s Legacy in Renewable Energy
The German-based JUWI Group has been active in power generation for nearly 30 years, specializing in the development, construction, and operation of renewable energy plants. The company has more than 1,300 employees worldwide, with subsidiaries in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Africa. It has installed over 1,250 wind energy facilities with more than 3 GW of capacity and developed around 2,000 solar power plants with over 4 GW of generation capacity.
Tri-State’s Ongoing Solar Expansion
Tri-State is also expanding its resource portfolio by securing three additional solar power purchase agreements, all expected to be finalized by the end of the year. These agreements cover two projects in southern Colorado—the 100-MW Spanish Peaks and 40-MW Spanish Peaks II—and one in New Mexico, the 200-MW Escalante Solar.
By the end of 2025, Tri-State will deliver 680 MW of solar power to its members from eight facilities, enough to power nearly 200,000 homes.
Serving utility electric distribution cooperatives and public power districts across four states, Tri-State provides electricity to over a million consumers in a territory spanning nearly 200,000 square miles of the Western United States.
This expansion underscores Tri-State’s commitment to sustainable energy and its role in driving the transition toward a greener, more resilient power grid.