3 New Microgrids Under Construction for New Mexico Electric Cooperative

Construction of three new microgrids is underway in northern New Mexico.

PowerSecure, a distributed energy infrastructure provider, is building the battery energy storage systems (BESS) for Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC).

The grid-connected microgrids will add 7.5 MW/38.25 MWh of battery energy storage to the cooperative’s energy portfolio, improving resilience for Taos, Colfax and Rio Arriba counties in the Sangre de Cristo Range of the Southern Rocky Mountains. The areas are vulnerable to wildfires and extreme weather events.

"By integrating advanced microgrid and battery energy storage systems, we are helping to ensure that KCEC can provide reliable and sustainable power to its service areas," said Jim Smith, president of PowerSecure.

The microgrids, which will provide grid services, will be built at Taos Ski Valley and in the El Rito West and Penasco areas.

A focus on renewable energy

Kit Carson Electric Cooperative is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative that was formed in 1944. It serves nearly 30,000 customers in rural northern New Mexico and is the second largest electric coop in the state.

It has been investing in renewable energy infrastructure for more than two decades—its first solar installations were built in 2002.

In 2022, KCEC achieved its goal of sourcing all of its daytime power from solar energy. The Coop had 50 MW of solar generation capacity and 25 MW of battery energy storage online or under construction as of mid-2025.

The new PowerSecure BESS microgrids will further enable KCEC to store excess solar energy generated during the day for overnight use.

"Through this initiative, we are advancing microgrid and battery storage technologies that will provide reliable, sustainable power during critical times,” said Luis Reyes, Kit Carson Electric Cooperative’s CEO. The partnership with PowerSecure “underscores our commitment to safeguarding northern New Mexico against extreme events while ensuring our members benefit from a stronger, more dependable energy future."

Microgrids provided by industry leader

PowerSecure is a key player in the microgrid industry. A subsidiary of Southern Company, the company has developed, installed, managed and serviced over 2 gigawatts of microgrid capacity at data centers, healthcare facilities and more.

PowerSecure also has a microgrid at its Durham, NC campus, which it powers with  hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). The renewable fuel source can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% to 85% compared to diesel, according to studies. 

New Mexico advances microgrid legislation

Microgrids are a hot topic in New Mexico. Last week, the state Senate approved a Senate Bill 235, the Microgrid Oversight Act. If passed by the House and signed by the governor, the legislation would give the state’s Public Regulation Commission (PRC) greater authority over on-site microgrids.

The legislation targets large installations of 20 MW or more.

Sen. Jeff Steinborn (D-Las Cruces) introduced the bill after plans for multiple data center microgrids were announced, including one at Project Jupiter, a large AI data center complex near the Mexican border. Critics have raised concerns that the off-grid natural gas microgrid proposed to supply power to Project Jupiter’s campus could worsen regional air pollution and create public health risks.