Southwest Power Pool of Little Rock announced a “significant” landmark in developing its day-ahead power market in the western U.S.
The not-for-profit regional transmission organization filed a rate plan, known as a tariff, on March 29 with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. SPP, which manages electric power transmission and markets on behalf of members in a 14-state footprint, has been extending its RTO role in the west, where it is also developing a day-ahead energy market.
The organization is mandated by the FERC to ensure reliable power supplies, ample transmission infrastructure and wholesale electricity prices for its members.
SPP announced Monday that it is committed to the western market and dedicated to ensuring fair partnerships to serve all involved parties well.
President and CEO Barbara Sugg said cooperation on the western market, known as Markets+, is essential. “SPP’s mission and success depends on working together effectively, and it’s been a privilege to work alongside our new western stakeholders to craft market policy that will create a brighter, more resilient energy future in the West,” she said in a statement. “We celebrate the high-quality tariff we’ve created together, and we look forward to bringing Markets+ to life.”
Work on the Markets+ tariff began less than a year ago, when 38 entities from states across the West formally agreed to participate. As SPP offered support and guidance, and an independent panel of directors weighed in, the utility entities united into committees and working groups, drafting governance and administration plans for the day-ahead electricity market.
Antoine Lucas, SPP’s vice president of markets and sponsor of the Markets+ program, said it was critical for western stakeholders to drive the process.
“We’re excited to see this approach has yielded a market design that will enhance electric reliability and affordability, enable participants to meet clean energy mandates and goals in a cost-effective manner and do it all in a way that ensures equity for every market participant,” Lucas said in a news release. Western stakeholders also applauded the collaboration.
Scott Simms, CEO and executive director of the Public Power Council of Portland, Oregon, put it this way: “The filing of the Markets+ tariff is a significant accomplishment for SPP and western stakeholders,” he said. “The Markets+ effort has resulted in a market truly for the West, designed by the West, and it benefits from the collective knowledge and expertise of SPP staff and a very broad coalition of western stakeholders.”
While awaiting FERC’s review of the draft Markets+ tariff, SPP will continue to work with stakeholders to define detailed protocols for the market’s administration, work that is already underway, the organization said.
Markets+ is expected to go live in early 2027.
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