Weld County approves seven Cloudbreak Energy permit extensions as Xcel interconnection queue drags on

Weld County commissioners on Monday approved time extensions for seven special-review permits for solar projects tied to Cloudbreak Energy, saying delays in Xcel Energy’s interconnection studies have left permitted projects in limbo.

Molly Wright of the Department of Planning Services told the board the county had received extension requests for USR23-0019, USR23-0020, USR23-0021, USR23-0022, USR23-0023, USR23-0030 and USR23-0031, each of which the department recommended approving. The requests update the deadline to record maps after permitting; the applications were originally approved by the board in 2023.

Bryson Dutton, senior project developer for Cloudbreak Energy, said the projects are held up in Xcel Energy’s interconnection queue. “It takes about a year right now to get through the full studies,” Dutton said, adding that in some cases projects are “5 years out from being looked at” because of the backlog.

Commissioner Jake Maxey said he sympathized with the applicant but was frustrated with the utility’s process. “I am frustrated overall at the Xcel process,” Maxey said, while also saying he supported continuances to allow projects time to move through interconnection studies.

The board moved and seconded each extension request and approved them by voice vote. Motions were recorded and each item passed with an affirmative voice tally.

What happens next: the extensions give Cloudbreak Energy additional time to complete Xcel’s required studies and finalize project system sizes. Several applicants said project feasibility can change based on study results, including system size adjustments or cancellation if interconnection proves infeasible.

The board’s public-comment period drew no speakers on the items and the meeting adjourned following routine closing procedures and a reminder about Weld County Code Section 2-1-20.E regarding decorum.