Wedoany.com Report-Sept. 9, ContourGlobal has announced the start of operations at the first phase of the Black Hollow Sun (BHS) solar complex in Severance, Colorado. The initial stage, BHS I, has a capacity of 185 megawatts peak (MWp) and has begun supplying electricity to Platte River Power Authority. The second stage, BHS II, is currently under construction and expected to begin operations in 2026.

'When fully completed in 2026, the power complex will reach a total capacity of 324 MWp, making it Northern Colorado's largest solar project and Platte River's largest contracted solar asset'.

“BHS I represents ContourGlobal’s first operating renewable plant in the United States and the initial phase of the Black Hollow Sun complex, which will also include BHS II (139 MWp),” the company said. “When fully completed in 2026, the power complex will reach a total capacity of 324 MWp, making it Northern Colorado’s largest solar project and Platte River’s largest contracted solar asset.”

Once both phases are operational, the complex is projected to generate about 608 GWh of electricity each year, serving communities such as Fort Collins, Loveland, Estes Park, and Longmont through Platte River Power Authority. ContourGlobal said: “This is enough clean electricity to power more than 73,000 homes in Northern Colorado while avoiding almost 450,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year.” The figures are based on annual household consumption of 8,304 kWh and state reporting standards.

ContourGlobal highlighted that both phases were designed with shared infrastructure, ensuring efficient land use and technical integration. The project uses U.S.-manufactured solar modules supplied by Qcells, which also provides engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services.

The company has been active in the U.S. energy market for 20 years and currently has 2.8 GW of capacity in operation, under construction, or in late-stage development. Its existing portfolio includes 1.5 GW of operational assets, with 10 thermal plants across California, New Mexico, and Texas, as well as a light fuel oil plant in Connecticut. Future plans include 1 GW of additional solar PV projects and 0.3 GW of battery storage projects at various development stages.

ContourGlobal is also expanding in Latin America. In August, it commissioned the Quillagua project in Chile’s Antofagasta region, which it described as the largest solar plant with a storage system in the region. The project consists of a 221 MWp photovoltaic plant paired with a 1.2 GWh battery storage system. The company is also advancing the Victor Jara plant in Tarapacá, with 231 MWp of solar capacity and 1.3 GWh of storage, expected to be completed in the second half of this year ahead of schedule.

ContourGlobal acquired the Chilean projects, totaling 452 MWp of solar and 2.5 GWh of storage, from Grenergy in 2023. “Once fully operational, this portfolio will generate about 1,300 GWh annually, positioning ContourGlobal as a key renewable operator in Chile, a country where the company intends to grow and invest,” it said.

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