Interruptible Credit Option (ICO)

Business customers in New Mexico can save on a large scale with our Interruptible Credit Option (ICO). To qualify, you must agree to reduce your electric demand at our request during peak demand.

During periods of peak demand, such as hot summer days, our system may require more power than is normally available. ICO customers help reduce the amount of electricity our customers need which helps us meet demand requirements at critical times.

The more load you agree to control, the more you’ll save. In return for participating, you receive a monthly credit on your demand charges, which could amount to substantial savings for your business.

If you’re interested in ICO, call your Xcel Energy account manager or our Business Solutions Center at 1-800-481-4700. We can help you determine whether ICO is a good fit for your business.

When you use ICO, you can gain tremendous savings all year round on your energy bill. In return for participating, you receive a monthly credit on your demand charges, which could amount to substantial savings for your business.

Depending on how much of your demand you’re willing to reduce at our request, you can qualify for thousands of dollars in discounts on your controllable demand. See the feature and credit sheet under Additional information for credit amounts.

During periods of peak demand, such as hot summer days, our system may require more power than is normally available. ICO customers help reduce the amount of electricity our customers need which helps us meet demand requirements at critical times.

Interruption periods typically occur as a result of capacity, contingency and/or economic constraint on hot, summer days between June 1 and September 30. However, these events can occur during any season or during a rare system emergency.

All interruptions will last a minimum of 4 hours, unless a shorter interruption option is selected.

The more load you agree to control, the more you’ll save.

• Year-round energy savings often add up to thousands of dollars in discounts on your controllable demand (see the feature and credit sheet under Additional information for credit amounts).
• Choose the amount of interruption appropriate for your facility.
• Your credit is tied to the number of hours you contract to be interrupted each year and to the advance notice option you select.
• You must also have a contract interruptible load of at least 500 kW.
  • Your contract interruptible load is the median of your maximum daily 30-minute demands that occurred between noon and 8 p.m. on Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from June 1 through Sept. 30 of the previous year.
  • Your interruptible demand is the maximum 30-minute integrated demand used during the month that occurred between noon and 8 p.m., less any firm demand. If your interruptible demand or your contract interruptible load is less than 500 kW during any of these months, we’re unable to offer you these discounts at this time.

If you’re interested in ICO, call your Xcel Energy account manager or our Business Solutions Center at 1-800-481-4700. We can help you determine whether ICO is a good fit for your business.

You can sign up for the program through May 1 for participation in that year, based on kW estimates for the upcoming summer.

To qualify for ICO, you must:

• Be an electric business customer of Xcel Energy in New Mexico.
• Agree to interruptible conditions per program requirements and conditions.
• Be able to maintain 500 kilowatts (kW) of interruptible electric demand during June - September.
• Install a phone line connected to your meter at your own expense.

If you have any questions regarding the ICO program,

• Contact your Xcel Energy account manager
• Call 1-800-481-4700
• Email us

For credit amounts or more details on ICO, see the Feature and credit sheet.