Taylor River Hydro Project complete

After decades of research and negotiation, the Gunnison County Electric Association (GCEA) and the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association have completed the construction phase of the Taylor River hydropower project.

Operating at or near full capacity 24 hours a day, year-round, the hydropower plant will produce an average of 3.8 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually. This will provide clean electricity to approximately 500 local homes and businesses.

“GCEA is pleased to do its part by exploring local options for a clean energy transition in our area,” said GCEA Strategy Execution Specialist Matt Feier

Mueller Construction, based in New Castle, Colorado, began construction in May 2023 and Washington state-based Canyon Hydro delivered the turbine, generator and controls. With weather constraints, supply chain and permitting delays, it took months to coordinate the successful completion of the project. Now finished, the plant boasts the largest known single-phase power generator operating in North America.

When the Taylor Dam was constructed in the late 1930s, it was designed with hydropower generation in mind. The project connects to the existing dam penstock and GCEA’s single-phase distribution line. The GCEA board discussed upgrading the line for a more powerful electricity output, but felt the expense would put a large financial burden on the cooperative’s members. Instead, the 500-kW generator is the solution to produce the most power possible.

In 2020, GCEA and Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association formed Taylor River Hydro, LLC to jointly develop, own and operate the plant. The team has been working through the permitting, design and construction process over the last four years on the $3.6 million dollar project.

The addition of the Taylor River project will bump GCEA up to nearly 3% local renewable energy generation, adding to its current portfolio of two community solar gardens — one at the Crested Butte wastewater treatment plant, and the second at the GCEA headquarters in Gunnison — and a small wind turbine in Doyleville. Two more solar projects are currently in the works. Once completed, GCEA will nearly meet the 7% local renewable energy goal set within the cooperative’s 2023 strategic plan.

(Source: Gunnison County Electric Association.)