Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy Resources of Aspen

The City of Aspen works with several sources of energy suppliers.

Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN)

The Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN) is a nonprofit wholesale electricity supplier that provides reliable, cost-effective energy to the City of Aspen. In 2022, MEAN launced its Green Energy Program which incorporates 86 megawatts of renewable energy from wind, landfill gas and hydropower generation facilities. Aspen purchases this energy from MEAN using their green rate which balances theses renewable energy sources to deliver sustainable power while advancing towards MEAN's vision of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. For more information, please visit MEAN's website.

Western Area Power Administration (WAPA)

The Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) specializes in delivering renewable hydropower, generated from federally managed dams across the western United States. This clean, sustainable energy source is derived from the natural flow of water, making it one of the most reliable and environmentally friendly forms of renewable energy. By purchasing hydropower from WAPA, the City of Aspen benefits from low-cost, carbon-free electricity, which reduces its overall environmental footprint and supports federal water and energy resource management efforts. WAPA's focus on hydropower distinguishes it from other energy providers and provides the City of Aspen with an important source of renewable energy for its overall energy portfolio. For more information, please visit WAPA's website. 

Tri-County Water Conservancy District

In 2002, the City of Aspen and the Tri-County Water Conservancy District collaborated to revisit the feasibility of constructing a hydropower project at Ridgway Reservoir. With commitments and funding from both entities, an 8 megawatt hydroelectric generating facility was built and began operations in February 2014. The facility was constructed on an existing U.S. Bureau of Reclamation-owned dam along the Uncompahgre River. As of 2023, the City of Aspen purchases 100% of power created from this project which contributes to Aspen's renewable energy goals and our 100% renewable energy. Aspen provides portions of this renewable resource to the MEAN Green Energy Program. For more information, please visit Tri-County Water Conservancy District's website.

Local Renewable Energy Sources

Ruedi Power Plant

The Ruedi power plant was built on Ruedi Reservoir in 1984 and has a nameplate capacity of 5.0 megawatts. The hydroelectric plant supplies power to the local grid on the city's behalf. It was the first of Aspen's "New Renewables" projects. The water released through the dam also helps maintain fish habitats in the fifteen-mile reach of the Colorado River between the De Beque Canyon Roller Dam and the confluence of the Gunnison River. Ruedi hydroelectric is responsible for all Frying Pan River flows, supporting local sportsmen, businesses, and river habitat. The dam is operated by the United States Bureau of Reclamation, for more information and data regarding the Ruedi Dam visit the Bureau of Reclamation's Ruedi Dam webpage and Ruedi Water and Power Authority.

Maroon Creek Hydro

The current Maroon Creek hydroelectric plant was built in the 1980's and has a maximum output of 450 kilowatts. This facility has been critical in Aspen's journey to 100% renewable energy and is a great local, cost competitive, and stable energy source. In a given year, the facility provides about 3-5% of the city's overall power supply depending on weather conditions.

Solar

The City of Aspen supports the use of and utilizes photovoltaic systems throughout its electric system.