Company Profile
Southwest Power Pool
Company Overview
In North America, Southwest Power Pool is one of nine Independent System Operators/Regional Transmission Organizations (ISOs/RTOs), one of eight Regional Entities, and one of eight regional Reliability Councils. SPP is mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure reliable supplies of power, adequate transmission infrastructure, and competitive wholesale prices of electricity.
ISOs/RTOs are the "air traffic controllers" of the electric power grid. ISOs/RTOs do not own the power grid. They independently operate the grid minute-by-minute to ensure that power gets to customers and to eliminate power shortages.
SPP provides the following primary services to our members and customers:
Tariff Administration: In 1998, FERC approved SPP to independently administer the Open Access Transmission Tariff. We provide one-stop shopping for regional transmission service with consistent rates and terms. Eligible users can access SPP's transmission system to transport electricity to wholesale customers. SPP ensures fair and open access to the transmission system for all customers. SPP processes an average of 15,000 transmission requests per month.
Reliability Coordination: SPP monitors power flow throughout our footprint. We anticipate problems and take preemptive action to mitigate operating limit violations. SPP coordinates regional response in emergency situations or blackouts.
Regional Scheduling: SPP ensures that the amount of power sent is coordinated and matched with power received. SPP's regional scheduling service reduces the number of entities with which SPP members and customers have to coordinate.
Market Operations: SPP's Energy Imbalance Services Market monitors resource/load balance to ensure that less expensive power is used to serve load before expensive power, as long as system reliability is met.
Expansion Planning: SPP's planning process seeks to identify system limitations and develop transmission upgrades for increased capacity.
Contract Services: SPP provides reliability, tariff administration, and scheduling for non-members on a contract basis. Access the Independent Coordinator of Transmission (ICT) and Independent Transmission Organization (ITO) pages.
SPP's Mission: Helping our members work together to keep the lights on … today and in the future.
Company History
Our History
Southwest Power Pool dates to 1941, when 11 regional power companies joined to keep an Arkansas aluminum factory powered around the clock to meet critical defense needs. After the war, SPP's Executive Committee decided the organization should be retained to maintain electric reliability and coordination. After the Northeast power interruption in 1965, other reliability councils were organized.
In 1968, SPP joined 12 other entities to form what became the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC). SPP incorporated as an Arkansas not-for-profit in January 1994. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved SPP as a Regional Transmission Organization in 2004 and a Regional Entity in 2007.
Who We Are
SPP has members in eight states: Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. SPP manages transmission in seven of the above states. SPP members serve over 4.5 million customers.
SPP's footprint includes 16 balancing authorities, 40,364 miles of transmission lines, and 255,000 square miles. SPP is based in Little Rock, Arkansas, and has over 300 employees.
Our Mission
Helping our members work together to keep the lights on … today and in the future.
Benefits
401(k) Savings Plan with immediate participation and a 75% SPP match on your contributions up to 6% of pay
Retirement Plan fully funded by SPP
Health Insurance with 80% of monthly premium paid by SPP
Dental Insurance with 80% of monthly premium paid by SPP
12 paid holidays
Vacation
10 paid personal days to be used for your illness or illness of your immediate family member
Short and long term disability
Relocation policy