Brighton, CO – United Power, Inc. today announced it has entered into an agreement with Aypa Power for the Fortress project, a hybrid renewable energy project that will combine 200 megawatts (MW) of solar with 150 MW / 600 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery energy storage near the City of Brush in Morgan County.
 
Scheduled to come online in 2027, Fortress will generate and store power for United Power members under a long-term power purchase agreement. The project supports the cooperative’s ongoing efforts to strengthen grid reliability and manage long-term power supply costs through a more diverse and locally sourced energy portfolio.
 
“United Power continues on a path to diversify and localize the power we purchase and deliver to our members,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power President and CEO. “We are investing in local projects that create a more robust generation system, which, in turn, will help us stabilize electric costs while investing in area economies. As the country grapples with the rising price of electricity, the cooperative is actively managing costs and seeking additional local generation resources. We believe our vision of a hyperlocalized electric system is the future of power production and it is an investment that will benefit all our members.”
 
Since leaving its former wholesale power provider in May of 2024, United Power has continued to invest in a portfolio of locally produced power sources, including several renewable energy and battery storage projects. Projects like Fortress represent significant investments in the state, helping ensure tax revenue and job creation benefit the communities United Power serves, while supporting a more resilient and member-focused energy network.

“Aypa Power is pleased to partner with United Power to bring the first phase of a 600 MW solar and battery storage complex online in Colorado,” said Dan Santelli, Chief Commercial Operator at Aypa Power. “Fortress will deliver low-cost energy and provide critical reliability, while supporting United Power’s commitment to dependable and locally sourced power.”

To learn more about United Power’s energy transition and its power portfolio, visit the cooperative’s website at www.unitedpower.com. 

About United Power

United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms, and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric co-ops in the nation, serving more than 115,000 meters. Its 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram

About Aypa Power

Aypa Power, a Blackstone portfolio company, develops, owns, and operates utility-scale energy storage and hybrid renewable energy projects across North America. With 30 projects currently in operation or under construction, and a development pipeline exceeding 22 gigawatts, Aypa delivers solutions that strengthen grid reliability, integrate renewable energy, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Aypa has been at the forefront of energy storage development since its first energy storage project came online in 2018. For more information, follow Aypa Power on LinkedIn or visit www.aypapower.com.

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Brighton, CO – United Power is pleased to announce the hiring of Jared Nelson as its Vice President of Energy Resource Planning. He will join the cooperative on Sept. 22.

“Jared will be a valuable asset in a critical operational area of our cooperative,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power President and Chief Executive Officer. “As United Power continues to navigate our power supply transition, the cooperative requires knowledgeable and capable talent to secure the right resources while keeping costs as low as possible. Jared’s many years of experience in the utility industry will help us to maximize our investments on behalf of United Power members.”

Jared earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (BSCHE) from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Business Administration from Florida Southern College. Most recently, he served as Director of Energy Supply and Market Modeling for Xcel Energy in Denver. His electric utility work experience includes resource planning, power plant engineering, and power purchase agreement (PPA) origination. 

“United Power’s future is dependent on careful planning and foresight to meet the cooperative’s growing energy needs,” said Jon Aust, Senior Vice President and Chief Energy Resource Officer. “Jared will be an excellent addition to our team as we work to meet the needs of this fast-growing cooperative. He will play an integral role as we continue to build on United Power’s strategy of developing and integrating local resources.

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