The latest arctic blast with its single digit temperatures predicted for Oklahoma and much of the Midwest prompted the Southwest Power Pool to issue a weather advisory for all 14 states that make up the power grid, including Oklahoma.
The SPP, headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas issued the advisory effective Sunday, January 19, 2025, at 3:00 a.m. CT until an anticipated end time of Tuesday, January 21, at 6:00 p.m. CT. In announcing the advisory the SPP made it clear the weather advisory does not require the public to conserve energy. However, such advisories are issued to raise awareness of potential threats to reliability among entities responsible for operating transmission and generation facilities.
“This Weather Advisory is being issued due to predicted extreme cold temperatures, and the potential for higher than normal demand for electricity, gas interruptions and equipment failure,” stated the SPP.
- Individuals should contact their local utility for details specific to their area.
- Generation and transmission operators have been provided instructions on applicable procedures, including reporting any limitations, fuel shortages or concerns.
- To mitigate risks to reliability associated with these factors, SPP may use greater unit commitment notification timeframes, including making commitments before standard day-ahead market procedures and/or committing resources in reliability status.
- SPP will send additional information if necessary.