Observations On A Colorado Electric-Utility Resource Plan For Increasing Renewables From 55% to 80% By 2030

This paper presents observations of a PV specialist concerning the actual implementation of renewables into an electric utility resource plan. In 2021, Public Service Company of Colorado introduced a resource plan to increase renewables from 55% to 80% by 2030. The actual process is a regulatory proceeding that involves the technical capability of resources, but also balances the interest of many stakeholders including the regulated monopoly utility, state legislation, ratepayers, independent power producers, environmentalists and local economies impacted by power-plant retirements. This paper will discuss many ways in which this process may result in different choices than a purely technical optimization might find. A particular focus will be on the subtle assumptions that reduce the choice of low-cost PV as the preferred clean energy addition.