Kit Carson Electric Co-op (KCEC), the member‑owned utility serving northern New Mexico, announced that its base residential electric rates have remained unchanged since 2016. The co‑op says this stability comes despite a decade of rising operating costs and a significant expansion of its renewable‑energy portfolio.
Renewable growth and grid resilience
Since achieving 100 percent daytime solar power in 2016, KCEC has built solar arrays paired with battery storage across its service territory. Today the co‑op reports roughly 51 megawatts of solar generation and 25 megawatts of battery storage, projects designed to improve grid reliability, increase resilience against wildfires, and provide clean power to its members.
Competitive rates for New Mexico families
An October 23 statewide residential electric‑rate comparison placed KCEC’s monthly service charge at $20.50, the second‑lowest among 19 New Mexico electric co‑op territories. The co‑op serves 30,807 member accounts, the second‑largest customer base included in the study.
KCEC consistently ranks among the six lowest‑cost electric co‑ops in the state across all three residential consumption levels. By contrast, co‑ops in southeastern New Mexico such as Central Valley Electric and Lea County Electric serve areas with heavy oil and natural‑gas production, which drives higher electricity demand and different cost structures.
Investing in infrastructure for the future
Maintaining service across rural villages, Pueblo communities, mountain towns and remote locations in Taos, Colfax and Rio Arriba counties requires ongoing investment. KCEC highlights work on substations, power lines, vegetation management, wildfire prevention and equipment capable of withstanding the region’s changing weather.
“Our members are facing rising costs in almost every part of their lives, and we understand how important affordable electricity is to their families and businesses,” said KCEC CEO Luis A. Reyes Jr. in the release. “We have not stood still to keep rates affordable. We have continued moving forward, building a stronger energy future for the communities we serve.”
Reyes added that the co‑op’s responsibility extends beyond delivering power: “It is about protecting our families, our elders, our medically vulnerable residents, and the communities that have called northern New Mexico home for generations.”
Challenges and outlook
The co‑op acknowledges that costs for transformers, utility poles, construction materials, labor, transportation, fuel and system maintenance continue to rise. Nevertheless, KCEC says its focus remains on protecting affordability while strengthening the electric system for future generations.
By keeping base rates stable for nearly a decade and expanding clean‑energy resources, KCEC aims to provide reliable, affordable power that supports families, businesses and the broader regional economy.
Original reporting: Taos News — read the source article.
