The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has approved the Southwest Power Pool’s performance-based accreditation (PBA) and effective load carrying capability (ELCC) methodologies and its Expedited Resource Adequacy Study (ERAS) process, SPP said on July 24.
“These FERC orders represent a bold leap forward for SPP’s resource adequacy framework, accelerating progress toward a resilient, adaptable power system for the communities and industries across SPP's 14-state service territory.
Regarding accreditation, FERC’s order, issued July 18, affirms SPP’s new, data-driven approach to resource accreditation.
"In simple terms, accreditation is the process of determining how power from a generator, whether a wind farm, natural gas plant, hydroelectric dam or other generating resource, can be counted on to reliably contribute to meet the regional demand for electricity, especially during times of greatest need," SPP said.
By adopting modern accreditation methods, SPP can more accurately measure the reliability of each generator, ensuring resources are dispatched and compensated for their real-world performance, the grid operator said. "This gives utilities and grid operators better tools to plan for and maintain a reliable grid, even as the nation's energy mix evolves," it said.
On July 21, FERC approved SPP’s ERAS process, creating a one-time, accelerated pathway for new resources to help meet urgent reliability needs through 2030.
The ERAS process empowers load responsible entities (LREs) to nominate qualified generation projects for fast-track review, targeting the region’s most pressing resource adequacy challenges.
SPP estimates it will be ready to grant generator interconnection agreements to ERAS participants before the end of March 2026.
“FERC’s approval of these two cornerstone initiatives affirms SPP’s vision and the collaborative spirit of our members, regulators and stakeholders,” said Lanny Nickell, SPP president and CEO. “The ELCC and PBA methodologies provide a modern, fair and transparent approach to accrediting resources, and the ERAS process empowers our region to respond quickly to rapidly growing demand. We are grateful for the trust placed in us by our stakeholders and FERC, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to reliably serve the evolving needs of our region.”
"These regulatory milestones are pivotal steps toward achieving the strong, forward-looking resource adequacy posture SPP has championed in recent years. By implementing advanced accreditation methods and targeted expedited processes, SPP continues to lead with practical solutions that address the growing and changing needs of the region’s electric grid," SPP said.
