Holy Cross Energy hits 96% clean energy, wonders if progress might slow – The Colorado Sun

Report on Holy Cross Energy’s Progress Towards Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

Holy Cross Energy, a Glenwood Springs-based cooperative, has made substantial progress in advancing United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). The cooperative supplied its 45,000 customers with exceptionally high levels of renewable energy in mid-2025, demonstrating a significant leap from its 2018 baseline. This achievement is supported by strategic investments in infrastructure, aligning with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and innovative consumer engagement models that promote SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). However, future progress towards its 2030 goal of 100% clean energy is facing considerable threats from shifts in U.S. policy and global economic volatility, which could impede the broader clean energy transition.

Alignment with SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Renewable Energy Supply Milestones

Holy Cross Energy has demonstrated remarkable progress in its transition to clean energy, directly contributing to the targets of SDG 7. The cooperative’s performance in 2025 highlights this advancement:

• In May, 96% of electricity was supplied from clean, renewable sources.
• In June, renewable energy accounted for 92% of the electricity supply.
• The projected average for the full year of 2025 is approximately 85% clean energy.
• This represents a significant increase from 2018, when renewable sources constituted only 39% of the energy mix.

Infrastructure Development and Innovation (SDG 9)

The co-op’s success is underpinned by strategic investments in resilient and sustainable infrastructure. Recent additions to its portfolio are critical for ensuring a stable supply of clean energy, especially given that the utility’s peak demand occurs in winter.

• Ownership of 150MW from a 200MW wind farm near Flagler.
• Development of 10MW solar farms with integrated battery storage in Parachute and Rifle.
• A recently closed request for proposals for additional small-scale generation and storage projects to further diversify its portfolio.

Maintaining Energy Affordability

A key component of SDG 7 is affordability. Despite aggressive investments in renewables, Holy Cross Energy has successfully managed costs. According to Sam Whelan, the Vice President of Finance, the utility’s electricity rates remain in the lowest third across Colorado, ensuring that the transition to clean energy does not place an undue financial burden on its customers.

Contribution to SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Communities)

Exceeding Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets

Holy Cross Energy is a key contributor to regional and state-level climate goals. The cooperative is currently ahead of Colorado’s state-mandated target, which calls for an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector by 2030 (from a 2005 baseline). This proactive stance directly supports the objectives of SDG 13 by mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Promoting Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)

The cooperative has implemented innovative strategies to manage its clean energy system and engage consumers, fostering sustainable consumption patterns within the communities it serves (SDG 11).

• Real-time text notifications are sent to customers, encouraging them to adjust power usage based on current generation and demand levels.
• Financial incentives, such as discounts, are offered to consumers who charge electric vehicles during periods of peak renewable energy generation, effectively using customer assets as distributed energy storage.

Challenges to Sustained Progress on SDGs

Policy and Economic Headwinds

Despite current successes, the path to achieving 100% clean energy by 2030 is threatened by significant external factors that challenge the economic viability of future projects.

• U.S. Policy Changes: The elimination of key federal development tax credits and production credits for renewable energy has altered the economic landscape, making new projects more expensive.
• Global Supply Chain Issues: Volatile tariffs and anti-dumping restrictions have increased the cost and unpredictability of sourcing solar components, creating uncertainty for developers and financiers.
• Increased Project Costs: The projected costs for new renewable projects are “certainly higher” than they were five years ago, narrowing the price advantage over fossil fuels.

Broader Industry Outlook

These challenges are reflected in broader industry forecasts. A recent Reuters report indicates that national wind and solar installations could be 17% and 20% lower, respectively, than previously projected over the next decade. This slowdown coincides with rising electricity demand from data centers and general electrification, potentially jeopardizing $263 billion in planned clean energy facilities and related manufacturing investments.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

The article on Holy Cross Energy’s renewable energy initiatives addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on the transition to clean energy, climate action, and sustainable community infrastructure.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The entire text revolves around Holy Cross Energy’s efforts to supply its customers with electricity from “clean, renewable sources.” It details the co-op’s progress, goals, and the challenges in providing affordable and clean energy.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article directly links the shift to renewable energy with climate action. It mentions that traditional power generation contributes significantly to “climate change-causing greenhouse gases from carbon dioxide” and highlights that Holy Cross is exceeding Colorado’s statewide goal for an “80% reduction of greenhouse gases by 2030.”

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The article discusses the development of new, sustainable infrastructure, such as “new wind and solar farms as well as battery storage.” It also highlights innovation in energy management, like the “innovative education and marketing” program that uses “real-time text notices to customers” to manage electricity demand, which represents an upgrade to infrastructure and processes to make them more sustainable.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  By providing clean energy to its 45,000 customers across several counties, Holy Cross Energy is helping to create more sustainable communities. The transition away from fossil fuels reduces the local environmental impact and improves the quality of life for residents in the regions served (Eagle, Pitkin, Garfield, Mesa, and Gunnison counties).

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Based on the article’s content, several specific targets under the identified SDGs can be pinpointed.

1. Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

   The article is centered on this target. It explicitly states that Holy Cross Energy “supplied 96% of the electricity used by its 45,000 mountain customers through clean, renewable sources in May,” up from 39% in 2018, and has a goal of achieving “100% clean energy by 2030.”

2. Target 7.1: Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.

   The article addresses the affordability and reliability aspects of this target. It notes that the co-op serves 45,000 customers and has been “very successful in terms of keeping our costs low,” remaining in the “lowest third of electricity rates across Colorado.”

3. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

   The article shows this target in action at a state and local level. It mentions that “Holy Cross is ahead of state-mandated targets for transforming Colorado’s power generation” and references “Colorado’s statewide goal for the power sector is an 80% reduction of greenhouse gases by 2030.”

4. Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable…with greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies.

   This target is reflected in the description of new energy projects. The article mentions “additions of energy from new wind and solar farms as well as battery storage,” including specific projects like a “150MW of a 200MW wind farm near Flagler, and 10MW solar farms with battery storage at Parachute and Rifle.”

Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

• Indicator for Target 7.2 (Renewable energy share):

  The article provides direct quantitative data for this indicator. Specific figures include:

  • 96% renewable energy in May
  • 92% renewable energy in June
  • A rise from 39% in 2018
  • A goal of 100% by 2030

• Indicators for Target 7.1 (Affordable and reliable energy):

  While not using official UN indicator language, the article provides metrics for affordability and access:

  • Access: The co-op serves “45,000 mountain customers.”
  • Affordability: The utility’s rates are in the “lowest third of electricity rates across Colorado.”

• Indicator for Target 13.2 (Climate action planning):

  The article implies progress by referencing a specific, measurable state-level plan: “Colorado’s statewide goal for the power sector is an 80% reduction of greenhouse gases by 2030, from a 2005 base.” Holy Cross’s performance can be measured against this official state target.

• Indicator for Target 9.4 (Sustainable infrastructure):

  The article provides qualitative and quantitative indicators of infrastructure upgrades:

  • Capacity of new infrastructure: “150MW of a 200MW wind farm” and “10MW solar farms with battery storage.”
  • Adoption of innovative processes: The use of “real-time text notices to customers” and offering “discounts on electricity” to manage demand are indicators of innovative, clean processes.

Summary of Findings

Source: coloradosun.com