2021 Clean Energy Plan

Xcel Energy's Colorado Clean Energy Plan represents a comprehensive initiative to advance the state's clean energy transition through a competitive solicitation process for new generation resources. The utility launched a competitive bid process in late 2022 seeking renewable energy, dispatchable resources, and company ownership generation projects to support its commitment to reduce carbon emissions 80-85% compared to 2005 levels, end coal use by 2030, and invest $12-13 billion across Colorado.

Phase I of the plan was approved by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission in 2022. The company received over 1,000 energy project proposals from developers in response to the competitive bid process. Following review by a third-party independent evaluator to validate findings and assess bids, Xcel Energy submitted several project portfolios to the Commission in September 2023 as part of the 120-Day Report. In January 2024, the Commission approved Phase II of the Clean Energy Plan, which includes an approved portfolio adding approximately 6,100 megawatts of new generation capacity, representing the largest clean energy portfolio in Colorado state history.

The RFP process evaluates bids across multiple resource categories including dispatchable resources, renewable resources (wind and solar), and company ownership options. Evaluation criteria include technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness, transmission impact analysis, best value employment metrics, and community benefit considerations including workforce transition planning for communities affected by retiring coal plants. Bids advanced to computer-based modeling using the EnCompass platform to assess system reliability, costs, and emissions impacts.

All filing materials, technical appendices, independent evaluator reports, and detailed scoring methodologies are available through the Colorado Public Utilities Commission electronic filings system under docket number 21A-0141E. The plan includes comprehensive transmission studies, reliability assessments, and integration cost analyses for wind and solar resources to ensure grid stability and operational feasibility.