Coincident Peak

Coincident peak is the customer's one-hour-average demand (kW) during the highest system peak hour for Platte River Power Authority, Fort Collins Utilities' wholesale electricity supplier. These charges account typically for about 40% of the total bill for a typical E300 or E400 customer.

When It Occurs

The coincident peak tends to occur at regular times that vary seasonally. This information is intended to help customers develop strategies to manage electricity costs.

The coincident demand period almost always occurs on a weekday:

• Summer months (June through September): it tends to be in mid to late afternoon on a very hot day.
• Winter months (November through March): the peak occurs in the early evening on a very cold day.
• Swing months (April, May, and October) the peak may be on a very warm day in the early afternoon, or on a very cool day in the evening.

This graph shows the times that coincident peaks have occurred over the last five years. The bars indicate any time that the peaks have occurred, and the numbers within the bars show the percentage of peaks within the season.

*Coincident peak timing has gradually shifted over the years. Future peaks may occur at times other than those shown in these tables.

Today's Coincident Peak

To view predictions for today's peak, as well as month-to-date peak data and electricity use for the entire Platte River Power Authority system, visit PRPA’s daily load website (Obtain a password by calling Platte River at (970) 229-5304 or e-mailing

Reduce Coincident Peak Charges

• Improve the energy efficiency of your facilities.
• Cut back or turn off HVAC equipment at 5 p.m. or earlier during winter months;
• Schedule energy-intensive processes in the morning or on weekends, rather than weekday afternoons;
• Turn thermostats up after 2 p.m. on summer afternoons;
• Educate employees, including cleaning and maintenance staff, about avoiding unnecessary electricity use during peak times; and
• Use ElectriConnect to understand how your facility uses electricity and to track the impact of any changes you make.

Learn more about Utilities' programs to help save energy and money.

For detailed information about electric rates, see the Electric Rate Schedules (PDF 532KB) and the Electric Service Rules and Regulations (PDF 284KB).