Press Releases

March 14, 2023

SPP’s independent and inclusive Markets+ governance model allows diverse voices to drive western market development

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — Southwest Power Pool (SPP) announced details of the governance structure that will oversee phase-one development of Markets+, its day-ahead and real-time western market. The Markets+ phase-one governance structure will have decision-making authority regarding market tariff language, protocols and governing documents to be filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

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March 2, 2023

Markets+ phase one development confirmed with first western market commitments

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — Southwest Power Pool (SPP) announced several parties have executed funding agreements for the development of Markets+, its western energy market. With the commitment of Arizona Public Service, Bonneville Power Administration, Chelan County Public Utility District, NV Energy, Powerex Corp., Puget Sound Energy, Salt River Project and Tucson Electric Power, the next phase of Markets+ development will begin immediately, ahead of the planned start date of April 1. SPP has also executed stakeholder agreements with participants who do not serve load or own generation but, while not contributing to funding Markets+ in phase one, will participate in the development of the Markets+ stakeholder process.

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November 30, 2022

Southwest Power Pool releases detailed proposal for western energy market

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — Southwest Power Pool (SPP) published a detailed proposal for its Markets+ service Nov. 30, 2022. SPP will begin engaging the parties who already expressed interest in committing to Markets+ in December to formalize contractual commitments for phase one. Parties interested in committing to funding further market development must sign a Markets+ Market Participant Phase One Funding Agreement by April 1, 2023.

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November 7, 2022

SPP confirms timing of Markets+ implementation milestones; Powerex commits to Markets+ participation and funding

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — Southwest Power Pool (SPP) announces that it will implement major components of the governance structure of its planned Markets+ service in 2023 and will explore launching a transitional component of Markets+ in 2024: A transitional real-time balancing market similar to its Western Energy Imbalance Service Market (WEIS).

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October 20, 2022

Carrie Simpson to serve as Southwest Power Pool’s director of western services development

SPP has chosen Carrie Simpson to lead the continued development of its electricity services in the western U.S. as Director of Western Services Development effective Nov. 1, 2022. In her new role, Simpson will direct the ongoing development and implementation of wholesale electricity markets and other electricity services in partnership with SPP’s stakeholders.

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September 6, 2022

Arizona entities announce commitment to SPP Markets+ development

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is pleased to announce several entities in Arizona have committed to supporting the next phase of Markets+ development. Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, Arizona Public Service Company, Salt River Project and Tucson Electric Power join seven other entities who previously committed to supporting market development (see SPP’s August 16 and August 29 announcements).

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August 29, 2022

Southwest Power Pool announces additional commitments to western market development

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is pleased to announce six additional entities have expressed interest in participating in the next phase of Markets+ development. Avista Corp., Chelan County Public Utility District, Grant County Public Utility District, Powerex Corp., Puget Sound Energy and Tacoma Power join Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).

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August 25, 2022

SPP welcomes new utility to group evaluating western RTO expansion

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is pleased to announce receipt of Platte River Power Authority’s (Platte River) notice of intent to join several western entities evaluating participation in SPP’s regional transmission organization (RTO).

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August 16, 2022

Southwest Power Pool announces new western energy market initiative commitment

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — As Southwest Power Pool (SPP) prepares to publish its Markets+ service offering in November 2022, it is already attracting interested customers in the Western Interconnection. Bonneville Power Administration, a federal agency serving nearly 3 million people in the Pacific Northwest, is the first western utility to formally commit to funding further development of SPP’s Markets+.

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August 1, 2022

Southwest Power Pool’s western electricity market grows with addition of Colorado Springs Utilities

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — After more than a year of preparation, Colorado Springs Utilities became an active participant in Southwest Power Pool’s (SPP) Western Energy Imbalance Service (WEIS) market at midnight on August 1, 2022. SPP’s WEIS market enhances the reliability and affordability of wholesale electricity by serving the real-time demand for electricity with the lowest-cost generating resources available in the market at any given time.

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