Xcel Energy Inc., Black Hills Colorado Electric, Colorado Springs Utilities and Platte River Power Authority on Dec. 17 announced that they will join the California ISO's Western Energy Imbalance Market, or WEIM.

Over the next several months, the utilities will coordinate with CAISO to finalize the agreement and determine potential dates to join the WEIM. The target date is 2021.

Xcel, Black Hills Colorado and Platte River Power currently share resources and balance demand for electricity through a joint dispatch agreement. Colorado Springs will participate in that agreement beginning in March 2020.

The Southwest Power Pool also is planning to offer imbalances services in the West beginning in 2021.