Platte River Power Authority Warns of Potential Rolling Blackouts

The Platte River Power Authority issued an urgent notice on Monday evening warning that the regional power grid was under severe pressure. High demand combined with limited renewable energy generation pushed power usage to its highest level since 2021, particularly during a peak window from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Grid instability was driven by a combination of extreme heat and weather conditions, including cloud cover and a lack of wind, which restricted solar and wind power output. In response, the utility asked residents in Loveland, Fort Collins, Estes Park, and Longmont to limit their electricity usage around 5:30 p.m. to prevent the implementation of rolling blackouts.

Spokesperson Kendal Perez confirmed that customer response to the alert successfully reduced demand and stabilized the grid. However, she warned that forecasted high temperatures could cause similar stress in the coming weeks, noting that managing demand remains critical if renewable resources are insufficient.