BPA will contribute funds to SPP Markets+ Phase 1 development

BPA projects its costs associated with Phase 1 to be between $1.5 million and $2.2 million. The final amount will depend on how many Northwest load serving entities and balancing authorities participate.

“This is an investment that we expect to provide multiple benefits to BPA and its customers," said BPA Administrator and CEO John Hairston. “Markets such as this are the future of operations in the West, and this ensures BPA and its customers will keep pace and help shape these important initiatives."

Since tipping out its intent to make this commitment in August, BPA has been exploring participation in the Markets+ initiative and the California Independent System Operator's Extended Day Ahead Market. BPA is still actively discussing participation in both markets.

“We continue to work to shape both day-ahead markets with a focus on governance, operational impacts and other factors that we will have to consider before making a choice," said Joel Cook, BPA chief operating officer. 

Since 2018 through its Grid Modernization initiative, BPA has invested in modernizing its systems and processes to enhance transmission and generation operations. These investments enabled BPA to make its first step into organized markets last May when it joined the Western Energy Imbalance Market

For additional information on BPA's grid modernization or markets efforts visit this link.