Western utilities express support for continued Markets+ development
LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — Southwest Power Pool (SPP) received a letter Friday, April 12 from 26 western entities indicating their support for continued development of Markets+. The letter is signed by organizations from the Pacific Northwest, Desert Southwest and Mountain West regions, which together represent approximately 57 GW of peak demand across ten states and one province in the Western Interconnection. The group highlights preferred aspects of the proposed market’s unique design and governance structure.
“We collectively appreciate the effort and process that has resulted in the filing of the Markets+ tariff,” the entities said in their letter. “We look forward to participating in the ongoing development of the protocols and other market details.”
Aspects of Markets+ that are highlighted by the group include its inclusive and transparent governance structure, SPP’s ability to manage seams, and market design elements like a common resource adequacy program and a congestion rent mechanism that provides equitable benefits to customers.
“SPP is proud to receive support from a broad and diverse group of stakeholders across the western interconnection for the continued development of Markets+,” said SPP Vice President of Markets Antoine Lucas. “We’re glad to see western entities base their support on characteristics of our market design that we think make Markets+ a wise choice for the west, including enhanced system reliability, the affordability of wholesale energy, support for goals related to sustainability, and equity in everything from governance to market pricing.”
Markets+ is a day-ahead and real-time market designed to centralize unit commitment and pave the way for reliable integration of renewable generation. SPP filed the Markets+ tariff with the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission March 29. SPP is collaborating with stakeholders on detailed protocols for the market’s administration. Markets+ is expected to launch in early 2027.
View the letter sent from Markets+ supporters.