When people tell the story of Platte River's energy transition, they often start with the Resource Diversification Policy (RDP), adopted in 2018. But one of the utility's most significant renewable energy investments was already underway: the Roundhouse Wind Energy Center.
Roundhouse was the result of years of renewable energy planning and experience. Platte River's wind journey began with the Medicine Bow Wind Project in 1998 and expanded with the Silver Sage Windpower Project in 2009. In 2014, the 60 MW Spring Canyon Expansion Wind Energy Center began commercial operation in rural Colorado and at the time, tripled the wind energy supply to Platte River’s system. These early investments demonstrated the value of wind resources and helped build the expertise needed to pursue larger opportunities.
During integrated resource planning discussions in 2011, Platte River identified a need for additional renewable resources, transmission infrastructure and long-term portfolio diversification. Those conversations ultimately led to Roundhouse, which was initially designed as a 150-megawatt wind project with a dedicated transmission connection to Rawhide Energy Station.
Importantly, Roundhouse was moving forward before the Resource Diversification Policy was approved, demonstrating that Platte River was already taking meaningful steps to diversify its resource portfolio through strategic planning and investment.
That foresight created additional opportunities. As the project evolved, Platte River exercised options to increase its participation from 150 megawatts to 225 megawatts, recognizing the long-term value of the resource and the project's favorable economics. The decision reflected a commitment to both expanding renewable energy and maintaining financial sustainability.
Roundhouse also included a new generator outlet line connecting the project to Rawhide Energy Station, creating access to potentially additional renewable resources and strengthening Platte River's flexibility for future energy needs.
Today, Roundhouse can be overlooked amid discussions of newer renewable projects. Yet its story is a reminder that the energy transition did not begin with a single policy decision, it was built on decades of planning, experience and investment. Roundhouse stands as an example of the forward-thinking decisions that have long shaped Platte River's past and continue to guide the energy future.