Colorado regulators signed off on Xcel Energy’s $1.3B plan to wire the state for the future, but it comes with a massive projected price tag for ratepayers. (DBJ)
Xcel will roll out 180 projects spanning new substations, transformers, and distribution lines over the next 5 years to prepare the grid for home energy use that’s expected to jump 220% by 2050.
While regulators approved the infrastructure spend, they raised a red flag over the total cost. Xcel’s own “low end” forecast predicts that paying for this capital spree—along with generation and transmission—could drive average residential electricity rates up 55% by 2029.