Kit Carson Electric Cooperative

Name

Kit Carson Electric Cooperative

Legal name

Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Website

https://kitcarson.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1944

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Utility Services

NAICS

Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112)

SIC

Electric Services (4911), Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)

akta.pro primary industry

Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities) (EUADABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Renewable Distributed Generation (Rooftop/Onsite Solar, Small Wind, Small Hydro) (EUACALAJ), Distributed Storage (Behind-the-Meter Batteries) (EUAMAJAE), Hybrid PPAs (Renewables + Storage) & Firm Renewable Products (EUAGADAI)

Keywords

• Electric distribution services
• Fiber optic broadband
• Propane distribution
• Rural renewable energy
• Cooperative utility

Headquarters

HQ city

Taos

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Electric Distribution Services: Member-owned electric distribution cooperative providing electricity to over 29,000 members in Taos, Colfax, and Rio Arriba Counties since 1944. Revenue generated through electricity rates including fuel and purchased power cost adjustments.
2. Internet/Telecommunications Services: Kit Carson Internet (KCI) provides fiber optic broadband internet and VOIP digital phone services to over 15,000 members. Revenue from monthly service subscriptions.
3. Propane Distribution: Kit Carson Propane serves over 2,715 customers in Northern New Mexico, established to stabilize unusually high propane prices. Revenue from propane sales and delivery services.
4. Energy Infrastructure Projects: Federal and state funding for grid resilience projects, microgrids, broadband expansion, and the Questa Hydrogen Project including USDA New ERA funding of $231 million.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kit Carson Electric Cooperative is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative that delivers electricity, fiber optic broadband internet, and propane services to over 29,000 members across Taos, Colfax, and Rio Arriba Counties in northern New Mexico. The cooperative has pioneered rural renewable energy integration, achieving 100% daytime solar generation through partnerships with Guzman Energy and is developing the Questa Green Hydrogen Project for long-duration energy storage.

Product overview

Kit Carson Electric Cooperative operates as a member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving Northern New Mexico since 1944, with a portfolio of three core products: electricity service (delivering 100% daytime solar power to over 29,000 members through partnerships with Guzman Energy), Kit Carson Internet (broadband fiber optic service serving over 15,000 members with speeds up to gigabit and VOIP phone services), and Kit Carson Propane (serving 2,715+ customers). The cooperative has expanded into green infrastructure including the Questa Green Hydrogen Project for long-duration energy storage and microgrid projects with battery energy storage systems for grid resilience. The utility also operates Kit Carson Energy, Inc. as a subsidiary. Services are delivered through partnerships with technology providers including Twilio (VOIP) and equipment vendors for managed internet services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kit Carson Electric Service Member-owned electric distribution service delivering 100% daytime solar-powered electricity to over 29,000 members in Taos, Colfax, and Rio Arriba Counties, with 35MW of solar generation capacity through partnership with Guzman Energy.
• Kit Carson Internet (KCI) Broadband fiber optic internet service serving over 15,000 members across Northern New Mexico with gigabit speeds, managed Wi-Fi router service, and digital phone (VOIP) options for residential and business customers.
• Kit Carson Propane Propane distribution service serving over 2,715 residential and commercial customers across Northern New Mexico with delivery, cylinder filling, and clean-burning green fuel propane options.
• Questa Green Hydrogen Project Green hydrogen production facility at a Superfund site in Questa, NM, using electrolysis powered by solar energy to provide up to 41 hours of long-duration energy storage, supplying electricity for approximately 25,000 homes annually.
• Microgrid Project with Battery Energy Storage Three microgrids with 7.5 MW of battery energy storage systems (BESS) developed with PowerSecure to enhance grid resilience during catastrophic events, extreme weather, wildfires, and public safety power shutoffs in Northern New Mexico.
• Solar Generation Fleet

Quantifiable outcome

• Residential electric bills reduced 35% compared to previous year, saving members $2.4 million from July to September 2022
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.

• UNM TaosminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Partnership with UNM-Taos for Fiber Optic Pre-Apprenticeship Program and CDL (Commercial Driver's License) training. 11 KCEC employees graduated with CDLs; 6 currently enrolled in the program.
• PowerSecuremajorTechnology or Integration · 16 February 2026PowerSecure is collaborating with KCEC to develop three microgrids with 7.5 MW of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Northern New Mexico to enhance grid resilience during catastrophic events, wildfires, and public safety power shutoffs.
• Navajo NationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Navajo Nation received largest broadband award ($111 million) through New Mexico's BEAD program, administered alongside KCEC and 16 other recipients for high-speed internet deployment.
• Nuvve New Mexico, LLCmajorTechnology or Integration · 31 December 2025KCEC selected Nuvve New Mexico to deploy two 5MW/20MWh battery energy storage systems under a Battery-as-a-Service model. Nuvve assumes ownership, financing, operations, and maintenance, providing grid infrastructure without upfront capital investment.
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025KCEC works with NREL's Solar Energy Innovation Network on the Resilient Renewable Energy Roadmap for Rural Electric Cooperatives, a formal project documenting KCEC's pioneering approach to rural renewable energy.
• Taos PueblominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership with Taos Pueblo for specialized internet packages for low-income households and sponsorship of Education & Training Division graduation banquet.
• Guzman EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2016KCEC partnered with Guzman Energy (independent energy provider) and Guzman Renewable Energy Partners (GREP) in July 2016, buying out from Tri-State G&T. The partnership enables KCEC's solar deployment plan to achieve 100% daytime solar by 2022 and provides competitive power rates. Extended contract through 2038.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• La Plata Electric Association: Member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving rural southwestern Colorado with a comparable renewable energy and community focus. Both coops share a small-territory rural distribution model, member governance, and active renewable generation portfolios.
• Holy Cross Energy: Colorado electric cooperative with strong renewable generation and net-metering programs. Both cooperatives operate in the Four Corners region, prioritize member affordability, and have similar rural service profiles and renewable energy mandates.
• Pedernales Electric Cooperative: One of the largest electric distribution cooperatives in the U.S., serving central Texas with both electric and broadband services. Comparable as a multi-division member-owned coop with significant fiber broadband expansion alongside electric distribution.
• Ozark Electric Cooperative: Missouri-based electric cooperative with active fiber broadband subsidiary. Similar three-division structure (electric, broadband, propane-like services) and comparable rural cooperative governance and member economics.
• Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative: Florida-based electric distribution cooperative of similar size and rural profile. Comparable as a member-owned distribution cooperative exploring distributed generation and broadband service adjacencies within a captive rural service territory.

Regional players

• Central New Mexico Electric Cooperative: Geographic peer operating as a New Mexico electric cooperative with overlapping service area characteristics. Provides a direct regional comparison for member rates, regulatory environment, and rural electric distribution economics in the same state.

Broad incumbents

• Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association: Generation and transmission cooperative that was KCEC's former wholesale power supplier until 2016. Comparable as a cooperative energy provider in the same region, though operating at the G&T level rather than distribution.
• Oglethorpe Power Corporation: Large generation and transmission cooperative serving member EMCs across Georgia. Comparable as a cooperative structure with diversified generation assets, though operating at substantially greater scale and breadth than KCEC.
• PNM Resources: Investor-owned New Mexico utility providing electric service in overlapping markets. Comparable as an in-state electric provider facing the same New Mexico regulatory environment and renewable portfolio standards that shape KCEC's strategy.

Others

• Guzman Energy: Independent energy supplier that is KCEC's strategic wholesale power partner through 2038. Relevant as a peer through the long-term PPA relationship and as a competitive alternative to traditional G&T cooperatives across the western U.S.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kcec1944
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCmPaUf5VSsVVbQov0BcTCrw
• Facebookfacebook.com/KitCarsonElectric
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kit-carson-electric-cooperative-inc-
• Instagraminstagram.com/kit_carson_electric_coop/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kit Carson Electric Cooperative