From the Loveland Reporter Herald (Pamela Dickman):
The water conservancy district, which distributes all Colorado-Big Thompson Project water, plans to build a hydroelectric power plant at Carter Lake to turn water flow into actual power on the grid. Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association is negotiating with Northern Water to buy the water-produced power to add to its mix from Tri-State Generation. “We’re definitely interested,” said Rick Johnson, a Loveland resident who serves on the board for the power company that serves portions of Larimer, Weld and Boulder counties…
If built, the plant could produce 2.6 megawatts of power, roughly enough to power 1,000 homes — a drop in the bucket for Poudre Valley REA, which serves more than 35,000 customers. But every little bit helps, Johnson said. “The water is going to go down the pipeline regardless of whether it becomes energy,” he said. “We’re always looking for opportunities…
If the two agencies can finalize an agreement, Northern Water will order the equipment in February, Brouwer said. Construction of the equipment and necessary building would take about a year.