Updated Jan. 4, 2008Colorado Springs moved one step closer to getting a larger portion of its energy from wind. In 2008, we issued a request for proposal to purchase up to 100 megawatts capacity of wind power. Final proposal reviews are nearly complete. Contracts will be awarded in 2009, with power to begin flowing to Colorado Springs by 2011. Under Colorado renewable energy standards, municipal utilities must receive 3 percent of their power from renewable sources from 2011 to 2014, 6 percent from 2015 to 2019 and 10 percent by 2020. We already receive some renewable power from local hydroelectric plants and a small wind contract. Wind farms typically perform at a capacity factor of 30 to 40 percent, meaning, on average, a wind farm delivers 30 to 40 percent of its rated capacity over the course of a year. As a comparison, coal plants typically perform at a capacity factor around 90 percent. Colorado Springs peak electric demand is 863 megawatts. Wind power is just one component of our Electric Integrated Resource Plan, which ensures reliable, competitively-priced power well into the future. | 
