[ARRL-OK] Rolling Blackouts Feb. 16, 2021 6:46 a.m

[Mark Conklin]

Southwest Power Pool has again declared a Level 3 Energy Emergency Alert. Numerous power providers have begun initiating Rolling Blackouts - which can last from 30 min. to two hours.   See below from SPP. 

Grid Conditions Update (Feb. 16, 2021 6:46 a.m.): EEA3 declared effective immediately

SPP is declaring an Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) Level 3 effective immediately for our entire 14-state balancing authority area. System-wide generating capacity has dropped below our current load of approximately 42 gigawatts (GW) due to extremely low temperatures and inadequate supplies of natural gas.

We’ll be working with our member utilities to implement controlled interruptions of electric service throughout our region. This is done as a last resort to preserve the reliability of the electric system as a whole. Individuals in the SPP service territory should take steps to conserve energy use and follow their local utilities’ instructions regarding conservation, local conditions and the potential for outages to their homes and businesses.

We are currently forecasting a morning peak of above 44.6 GW around 9:00 a.m. Central time.