SPP says it has successfully become the first grid operator to manage markets in both the Eastern and Western interconnections with its formal expansion into the West.

The RTO increased its footprint to 17 states at midnight (CT) on April 1, expanding its reliability coordination, wholesale market, and other services into the Western Interconnection on schedule.

The expansion adds three states to SPP’s current RTO coverage: Arizona, Colorado and Utah. The RTO Expansion members affirmed their support to go live on April 1 with a unanimous vote of support in March. (See SPP RTO Expansion Members Affirm April 1 Go-live.)

“We’re working closely with our utility partners, neighboring systems and others to closely monitor grid conditions,” SPP spokesperson Derek Wingfield said. “So far, all indications suggest that we’ve completed a smooth transition.”