How much energy does the southwestern grid need?

The southwestern grid operator could need up to to 48 GW of new wind generation, 130 GW of solar and 59 GW of battery storage in the next quarter century.

Where is a power grid based?

The grid operator is headquartered in Arkansas and serves 14 states in the Midwest and West. After nearly two decades of flat demand, U.S. electricity consumption reached an all-time high in 2024 and is expected to continue rising.

How much money does the Southwest Power Pool need?

The Southwest Power Pool will need $88 billion to $263 billion in new generation by 2050, but should be able to make the investments in a “cost-effective and affordable fashion,” according to a report from Brattle Group. Vitaly Edush via Getty Images

What are SRP's energy storage options?

SRP is interested in evaluating energy storage options with the primary objective of providing firm capacity output during peak hours. Proposals should provide a minimum of 25 MW (AC) of output for a minimum of four (4) hour discharge and capable of at least 365 equivalent full discharge cycles per year.

When will Colorado Springs start introducing new energy resources?

The target for introducing these new resources into the public power utility’s electric system is May 2028. The solicitations are part of Colorado Springs Utilities’ efforts “to prepare the community for a new energy future, enhance the city’s economic vitality and meet its goal to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2030,” it said.