Rawhide
Rawhide is a natural gas plant in Larimer County, Colorado, operated by Platte River Power Authority. It ranks fifth by nameplate capacity among Colorado’s 320 power plants. The operator has reported planned retirement dates for 294 MW of it, in 2029. A further 223 MW of new generating units is reported as planned or under construction on the site. Within the Public Service Company of Colorado balancing area it is the third-largest of 192 plants.
Nameplate capacity, 2025
800 MW
668 MW net summer capacity
6 operable units
- Gas combustion turbine507 MW63%
- Coal steam294 MW37%
Unit by unit, 1984 to 2025
operating in 2025reported planned retirementbar height follows unit size
Unit 1 Coal steam, 294 MW, 1984
Unit A Gas combustion turbine, 89.3 MW, 2002
Unit B Gas combustion turbine, 89.3 MW, 2002
Unit C Gas combustion turbine, 89.3 MW, 2002
Unit D Gas combustion turbine, 89.3 MW, 2004
Unit F Gas combustion turbine, 150 MW, 2008
Among Colorado’s plants
Largest plants in the state by nameplate capacity, with the plants ranked next to this one.
- 1Craig (CO)1,428 MW
- 2Comanche (CO)1,253 MW
- 3Fort St Vrain1,148 MW
- 4Cherokee1,006 MW
- 5Rawhidethis plant
- 6Rocky Mountain Energy Center685 MW
- 7Rush Creek Wind600 MW
Other rankings
- All US power plants
- 413th of 14,286
- US natural gas plants
- 231st of 1,961
- Natural gas plants in Colorado
- 3rd of 29
- Biggest single unit, among Colorado’s plants
- 12th of 320
Operable units
| Unit | Technology | Nameplate | Summer | Online | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coal steam | 294 MW | 280 MW | 1984 | Operating, retirement planned for 2029 |
| A | Gas combustion turbine | 89.3 MW | 65 MW | 2002 | Operating |
| B | Gas combustion turbine | 89.3 MW | 65 MW | 2002 | Operating |
| C | Gas combustion turbine | 89.3 MW | 65 MW | 2002 | Operating |
| D | Gas combustion turbine | 89.3 MW | 65 MW | 2004 | Operating |
| F | Gas combustion turbine | 150 MW | 128 MW | 2008 | Operating |
New units reported to EIA
| Technology | Nameplate | Expected | Stage at end of 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas combustion turbine | 44.6 MW | 2028 | planned, approvals not yet sought |
| Gas combustion turbine | 44.6 MW | 2028 | planned, approvals not yet sought |
| Gas combustion turbine | 44.6 MW | 2028 | planned, approvals not yet sought |
| Gas combustion turbine | 44.6 MW | 2028 | planned, approvals not yet sought |
| Gas combustion turbine | 44.6 MW | 2028 | planned, approvals not yet sought |
Grid and site
- Balancing area
- Public Service Company of Colorado
- Reliability region
- Western Electricity Coordinating Council
- Highest grid connection voltage
- 230 kV
- Water source
- Municipality
- Nearest town on record
- Wellington
- Operator type
- Utility
- Coordinates
- 40.861°N, 105.021°W
Closest plants
| Plant | Runs on | Capacity | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rawhide Prairie Solar Hybrid | Solar | 23 MW | 0.4 mi southeast |
| Bison Solar LLC | Solar | 30 MW | 0.6 mi east |
| Roundhouse Renewable Energy II | Wind | 106 MW | 13.5 mi north |
| Roundhouse Wind Energy Project | Wind | 226 MW | 16.8 mi north |
| South Cheyenne Solar | Solar | 150 MW | 17.2 mi northeast |
| Corriedale Wind Energy | Wind | 52.5 MW | 17.5 mi north |
| Silver Sage Windpower | Wind | 42 MW | 18.6 mi north |
| CBEP Solar 3 | Solar | 2.4 MW | 18.8 mi south |