At-a-Glance:
Xcel Energy Colorado has announced details of its upcoming Clean Energy Plan, which will result in an estimated 85% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030. The plan will double renewable energy and battery storage on the Xcel Energy Colorado system, providing customers with electricity derived from approximately 80% renewable sources while maintaining affordable and reliable energy service. To learn more, read “Xcel Energy – Colorado plans to deliver 80% renewable energy by 2030.” Reading this article may require a subscription from the news outlet.
Key Takeaways:
Highlights from the plan include:
- Adding approximately 5,500 MW of new wind, solar generation, and battery storage.
- Significantly reducing coal plant operations by 2030 and retiring or repowering all remaining coal units by 2040.
- Building upon successful customer-focused energy efficiency programs, distributed generation opportunities, and demand response options to manage energy load.
- Ensuring grid stability and reliability with flexible resources capable of operating around renewable resources as well as during times of extreme heat or cold.
- Creating a workforce and community transition plan, building upon the utility’s experience leading clean energy transitions across its service area.
- Evaluating transmission infrastructure in the state to improve the reliability and flexibility of the system and reduce the cost of the renewable energy additions contemplated by the plan.
Path to 100% Perspective:
Electric utilities and governments across the world are moving towards 100% carbon-free energy. To succeed, they need to not only increase renewable generation, but also to rapidly reduce the use of fossil fuels. Renewables and storage alone cannot rapidly decarbonize our power system fast enough. Optimizing power resources, renewable energy and flexible fuels is the way to pave the Path to 100%. Xcel Energy Colorado is building a resilient decarbonization plan.
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