Xcel Energy: Extended outages, proactive power shutoffs possible on Sunday

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - Xcel Energy is preparing for high winds this weekend and is operating the electric system in some areas of Texas and New Mexico in a manner intended to enhance public safety and decrease the risk of wildfire.

With the high winds, Xcel Energy says damage to electrical equipment and power outages may occur.

Power outages may also be more frequent and last longer than they usually would.

Xcel Energy says typically, when there is an issue that causes a power outage on a line, such as a tree branch contacting a power line, equipment on the system will attempt to restore power automatically, usually within a few seconds.

However, Xcel Energy is changing the setting on those systems in many areas to prevent the automatic restoration of power and with that the outages are likely to last longer.

Crews are standing by, ready to conduct patrols and restore power when it is safe.

In certain limited areas, Xcel Energy may de-energize power lines beginning Sunday as a last resort measure to reduce the risk of a wildfire and ensure public safety.

If a line is proactively derenergized, they will not turn power back on until the high fire risk has passed and conditions are safe to do so, and the line has been visually inspected.

Xcel Energy says it will attempt to communicate with affected customers if a power shut off is necessary.

A small portion of Xcel Energy’s customers may be affected and the communities in the area that may experience a power shutoff include: Roswell, Carlsbad and Monument in New Mexico, and Stinnett, Sanford, Fritch, Lefors and the Northwest Amarillo Bishop Hills community in Texas.

As a reminder, extreme winds can impact the system causing an outage and does not necessarily mean that a customer has been proactively de-energized.

Xcel Energy is also reminding customers to be prepared for an electric outage by keeping phones and other devices charged and building an outage kit with items that do not require electricity.