Curated reference and analysis. Last full review: June 17, 2026
Verify all figures against ISO sources before relying on them for project decisions.
Grid Interconnection Tracker
U.S. ISO / RTO Large-Load Positioning
← Overview
ISO / RTO Profile

SPP

Southwest Power Pool · Portions of 14 states incl. AR, KS, LA, MO, NM, OK, TX
www.spp.org/Last updated: 2026-06-17Tier:FavorableConfidence:Medium
Bottom line

The clearest, most purpose-built large-load framework in the country (HILL/CHILL), with ~90-day interconnection agreements, positioning SPP to compete aggressively for data-center load.

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

Verified facts and placeholders

Facts
Total queue MW
151,000 MWas of 2026-06-17
Total queue projects
688as of 2026-06-17
Avg interconnection wait
4 yearsas of 2026-06-17
Large-load queue MW
26,400 MWas of 2026-06-17
Queue status
reform-in-progress
Large-load posture
Transparent
Generation queue notes
~151 GW across ~688 active generation projects; legacy study periods ran ~4 years to an interconnection agreement. FERC unanimously approved SPP's Consolidated Planning Process (CPP) on March 13, 2026 (effective March 1, 2026), merging transmission planning and generator interconnection into one process. First CPP cluster study begins August 2026, agreements expected spring 2027. ERAS-style fast track has ~13 GW under consideration as of early 2026.
Large-load posture rationale
SPP's High Impact Large Load (HILL) suite is the most developed large-load framework in the U.S. Conditional High Impact Large Load (CHILL/CHILLS) service offers ~7-year non-firm bridge service; HILLGA studies loads and on-site generation in parallel; clear path to interconnection agreements within ~90 days, with curtailment as the tradeoff for speed. Supporting context: per RR696 board minutes, SPP peak load is projected to rise from ~56 GW to ~105 GW over the next decade, underscoring why the HILL framework was built around curtailable bridge service rather than waiting for firm capacity.
Primary source
www.spp.org/markets-operations/high-impact-large-load-hill-integration/

Analyst read

Editorial analysis
Tier
Favorable
Rationale
The clearest, most purpose-built large-load framework in the country (HILL/CHILL), with ~90-day interconnection agreements, positioning SPP to compete aggressively for data-center load.
What's working
  • HILL/CHILL is the most developed large-load pathway in the U.S.; ~90-day interconnection agreements.
  • Parallel study of load plus on-site generation (HILLGA) reduces risk and supports speed.
What's working against
  • Conditional service comes with curtailment risk during system stress.
  • Less hyperscaler name-recognition and existing data-center cluster mass than PJM or ERCOT.
One thing to watch
Whether SPP's HILL speed advantage actually pulls major data-center commitments away from PJM and ERCOT.
Analyst note
SPP made the most deliberate bid to be the easy place to plug in a large load, and on paper the HILL framework delivers. It is the dark-horse market: if a developer values speed and certainty over being in an established hub, SPP is built for them. Watch whether announced projects follow the framework's promise.

Major announced projects in this market

Exhibit 2 · supporting

Recent reforms

Source-backed
  1. 2026-06
    FERC approves CHILLS non-firm service

    On June 5, 2026 FERC approved SPP's Conditional High Impact Large Load Service (CHILLS), providing up to seven years of non-firm transmission service to large loads that agree to curtailment during grid emergencies while they acquire firm service.

    Source
  2. 2026-01
    FERC approves HILL initiative

    FERC approved SPP's High Impact Large Load initiative establishing protocols to accelerate large-load interconnection and associated generation while protecting consumers.

    Source
  3. 2025-09
    RR696 / HILL pathways

    SPP Board passed Revision Request 696 in September 2025, paving the way for CHILL service and HILLGA — a streamlined large-load path with ~90-day interconnection agreements.

    Source

Upcoming milestones

Source-backed
  1. 2026-03
    Consolidated Planning Process effective

    SPP's CPP became effective ~March 1, 2026, sunsetting the interim Priority Process.

    Source

Sources & last updated

Provenance
Last updated
2026-06-17
Primary source
https://www.spp.org/markets-operations/high-impact-large-load-hill-integration/
Source registry