Curated reference and analysis. Last full review: July 9, 2026
Verify all figures against ISO sources before relying on them for project decisions.
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MISO

Midcontinent Independent System Operator · All or parts of 15 central/southern U.S. states + Manitoba, Canada
www.misoenergy.org/Last updated: 2026-07-09Tier:MixedConfidence:LowFERC · Show-cause: on notice (EL26-70)

Docket EL26-70. FERC flagged MISO as the fastest-growing data-center region in the country: 43% CAGR in data center capacity since 2020, against a tariff FERC says lacks a consistent large-load framework. Show-cause response due Aug 17, 2026.

Bottom line

Aggressive reform and automation pushing toward a 1-year queue, but large-load process (EPR) is less defined than SPP's and load interconnection costs are inconsistent across a huge multi-state footprint.

Author analysis. Review against primary sources before relying on this for project decisions.

Verified facts and placeholders

Facts
Total queue MW
353,000 MWstale · as of 2026-06-22
Total queue projects
1,696stale · as of 2026-06-22
Avg interconnection wait
4 yearsstale · as of 2026-06-22
Large-load queue MW
Not disclosed
Queue status
reform-in-progress
Large-load posture
Developing
Generation queue notes
~309 GW in the interconnection queue per FERC (vs. ~127 GW peak load), ~1,600+ active requests spanning cycles back to 2019; ~70% of capacity in older cycles was ultimately withdrawn. FERC approved a Generator Interconnection Queue Cap (50% of regional non-coincident peak per cycle). Targeting ~1-year processing via automation and reforms. ERAS remains capped at 68 projects total, 10 per quarter, ending August 31, 2027 or when the cap is met; Order 2023 compliance filing submitted May 18, 2026. The East/ITC regional queue cap has already been met for the 2026 cycle. JTIQ portfolio with SPP enables ~28.6 GW along the seam.
Large-load posture rationale
MISO does not publish a single consolidated large-load queue total. The 2026 OMS-MISO Survey (June 4, 2026) shows utilities expect roughly 15 GW/yr of new accredited summer capacity through 2031, with about 4 GW/yr moving through the expedited ERAS lane. FERC's show-cause order flagged MISO as the fastest-growing data-center region in the country: 43% CAGR in data-center capacity since 2020. Large-load additions route through ERAS and Expedited Project Review rather than one queue figure; April 2026 EPR materials show 19 April-cycle requests representing 5,457+ MW of new load additions and 59 approved EPRs for MTEP26. MISO moves to Direct Loss of Load accreditation beginning with 2028/29 planning.
Primary source
www.misoenergy.org/planning/resource-utilization/generator-interconnection/

Analyst read

Editorial analysis
Tier
Mixed
Rationale
Aggressive reform and automation pushing toward a 1-year queue, but large-load process (EPR) is less defined than SPP's and load interconnection costs are inconsistent across a huge multi-state footprint.
What's working
  • ERAS fast-track issues agreements in ~3 months for critical resources.
  • Automation and reforms targeting a ~1-year generation queue.
What's working against
  • Large-load EPR activity is material, but the pathway is less standardized and less transparent than SPP’s HILL framework.
  • Vast 15-state footprint means highly variable local conditions.
One thing to watch
Whether MISO formalizes its EPR large-load process into something closer to SPP's HILL clarity.
Analyst note
MISO is reforming hard on the generation side and the ERAS fast-track is genuinely useful, but for large loads it is the least legible of the central markets right now. Developers should expect to do real homework on local cost allocation before committing.

Major announced projects in this market

Exhibit 2 · supporting

Recent reforms

Source-backed
  1. 2026-06
    2026 OMS-MISO Survey

    Utilities expect ~15 GW/yr of new accredited summer capacity through 2031, with ~4 GW/yr moving through the ERAS lane. (OMS-MISO Survey, June 4, 2026; TD World.)

    Source
  2. 2026-05
    Order 2023 compliance filed

    MISO's Order 2023 compliance filing submitted May 18, 2026.

    Source
  3. 2025-12
    Second ERAS cycle

    MISO announced its second Expedited Resource Addition Study cycle (~6.1 GW), primarily battery and gas, to fast-track reliability-critical generation.

    Source
  4. 2024-12
    JTIQ portfolio approved

    Joint Targeted Interconnection Queue portfolio with SPP approved, enabling ~28.6 GW of generation to interconnect along the MISO-SPP seam.

    Source

Upcoming milestones

Source-backed
  1. 2026-08-17
    Show-cause response due (EL26-70)

    MISO must justify or reform its large-load tariff by August 17, 2026 (or November 15 with abeyance).

    Source
  2. 2027-08
    ERAS sunset window

    ERAS ends August 31, 2027 or when the 68-project cap is met, whichever is earlier.

    Source
  3. 2028
    Direct Loss of Load accreditation begins

    MISO moves to Direct Loss of Load accreditation beginning with 2028/29 planning, valuing resources on performance during highest-risk hours.

    Source

Sources & last updated

Provenance
Last updated
2026-07-09
Primary source
https://www.misoenergy.org/planning/resource-utilization/generator-interconnection/
Source registry