SPP Issues Resource Advisory for 14-State Grid Including Oklahoma
Warmer temperatures and increased demand for electricity prompted the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) to issue a Resource Advisory October 10th. The alert covers SPP’s entire 14-state grid region, which includes Oklahoma.
The advisory takes effect at 12:00 p.m. CT on the 10th and is expected to remain in place until 7:00 p.m. CT.
Why the Resource Advisory Was Issued
SPP officials explained that the warning came as power demand climbed while wind generation remained unpredictable. In addition, a higher-than-normal number of power plants were offline for scheduled maintenance.
“This Resource Advisory is being declared due to forecasts of high peak loads, wind forecast uncertainty, and higher-than-normal planned outages,” the SPP stated.
Routine outages typically occur in the fall for maintenance ahead of winter’s heavy power needs. However, an extended stretch of warmer weather this October created tighter conditions than expected.
What the Advisory Means for Oklahomans
The SPP emphasized that the advisory is not a call for public conservation but rather a notification for utilities and energy operators to remain alert.
Resource Advisories raise awareness about potential reliability challenges and help ensure that operators can balance supply and demand effectively across the regional grid.
Energy analysts say these advisories are becoming more common as the regional grid faces shifting weather patterns, surging electricity use, and fluctuating renewable output.
The Southwest Power Pool, headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, manages power flow for more than 18 million people across Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, and 11 other states.