Cabin Creek Station

Location: Near Georgetown, Colorado

Plant Description: Cabin Creek is a hydroelectric pumped storage power plant.

Power Production Capabilities: Cabin Creek has two units, each with a nameplate capacity of 150 megawatts (MW).

Fuel Source: Water supplied from two reservoirs totaling 1,977acre feet, enough for full-load operation of both units for four hours.

Plant History: Cabin Creek construction began in June 1964 and was completed in April 1967. In 1968 the Edison Electric Institute presented Xcel Energy's predecessor company Public Service Company of Colorado with its highest honor, the Edison Award, in recognition of the plant's innovative pumped storage technology.

Interesting Features: Cabin Creek is located high in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado at 10,018 feet above sea level. It is a  pumped storage plant with a lower and upper reservoir. During periods of peak electricity demand on Xcel Energy’s Colorado system, electricity is generated by releasing water from the upper reservoir through a tunnel, which turns the turbine generators. The water is then stored in the lower reservoir. In the early hours of the morning when electricity use by the company’s customers is low, water is pumped back to the upper reservoir. Cabin Creek has the ability to respond to increases in customer demand quicker than any other plant on our system.

Environmental Highlights: As a hydroelectric station, Cabin Creek produces no air, water or land emissions. As we bring additional wind power onto our Colorado system, Cabin Creek can help us better utilize this resource. The pumping of water from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir can be timed during the evening or early morning when wind generators are producing more power.

Community Highlights: Cabin Creek hosts and participates in annual drills with local emergency responders.The plant offers public tours and employee volunteers have supported a variety of local community events. 

Contact Information:

• Plant Information and Tour Requests — 1-800-895-4999
• Media Inquiries — 303-294-2300