Southwest Power Pool Board Approves Accelerated Pathway For Large Load Connection

Sept 16 (Reuters) - SOUTHWEST POWER POOL (SPP):

• SAYS BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS APPROVED A PROCESS TO FACILITATE THE CONNECTION OF LARGE USERS OF ELECTRICITY TO THE POWER GRID

• SAYS SPP’S HIGH IMPACT LARGE LOAD POLICY FOLLOWED MONTHS OF COLLABORATION AMONG STAKEHOLDERS AND SPP STAFF TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGE OF CONNECTING CUSTOMERS WITH SIGNIFICANT DEMAND, SUCH AS AI-DRIVEN DATA CENTERS OR MANUFACTURING, WHILE BALANCING ESSENTIAL GOALS OF RELIABILITY AND AFFORDABILITY.

• SAYS "THE SOLUTIONS INCORPORATE TRANSMISSION SERVICE, GENERATION AND LOAD INTERCONNECTION AND OTHER PERTINENT RELIABILITY STUDIES INTO A SINGLE FRAMEWORK THAT ENABLES TIMELY, INFORMED DECISION MAKING AND ACTION"

• SAYS IT WILL ESTABLISH A 90-DAY STUDY-AND-APPROVAL PROCESS FOR INTERCONNECTING LARGE LOADS THAT WILL BE PAIRED WITH NEW GENERATION (EITHER ON-SITE OR NEARBY) OR FOR INTERCONNECTING LARGE LOADS WITH CURRENT OR PLANNED GENERATION