SOUTHWEST POWER POOL SETS NEW WIND RECORDS
Houston (Platts)–18 Feb 2016 517 pm EST/2217 GMT
The Southwest Power Pool Wednesday set a new wind peak record as well as a wind-penetration-level record, according to the grid operator.
The wind peak record was set at 10,439 MW around 10:30 pm CST Wednesday, while the wind penetration level record was set at 43.3% with load at 23,740 MW, according to SPP.
Wind was forecast to peak just below 10,725 MW Wednesday, SPP data showed.
SPP North Hub on-peak LMP was about $17/MWh Wednesday, with off-peak near $12/MWh, compared with February-to-date averages of $18.75/MWh and $14.50/MWh, respectively.
South Hub on-peak was around $18.75/MWh Wednesday and off-peak near $16.25/MWh, compared with February-to-date averages of $21.50/MWh and $18/MWh, respectively.
The previous wind peak record, 9,948 MW was set December 19. The previous wind penetration level record, 39.1%, was reached 5:29 am CST January 31.
SPP wind output throughout February has averaged roughly 5,925 MW, up roughly 2,600 MW or 79% from the February 2015 average of about 3,300 MW.
