As expected, SPP’s first summer since the Integrated System joined its system last year has resulted in a new record for peak load, as well as the RTO’s first two peaks above 50,000 MW.

The RTO recorded a peak load of 50,083 MW at 4:35 p.m. July 20, surpassing that record the next day at 4:47 p.m. with 50,622 MW. The previous record of 48,323 MW was set in June.

The record peaks were not a surprise, given the addition of the Integrated System’s 5,000 MW of added peak demand and the oppressive heat wave in the Great Plains. Bruce Rew, SPP’s vice president of operations, told the Regional State Committee last week the RTO will “likely continue to see increases in peak numbers, primarily driven by the addition of new members.”

– Tom Kleckner