Enabling Large Load Integration: SPP Stakeholder Updates July 2025

The rapid expansion of high-impact large loads (HILLs), especially from AI data centers, cryptocurrency mining, EV charging hubs, and green hydrogen production, is reshaping electricity demand across the U.S.  

Projections suggest that AI-driven data centers alone could account for up to 44% of U.S. electricity load growth by 2028, with AI contributing up to $4 trillion to the U.S. economy by 2030. These developments offer economic growth, innovation, and national security benefits but also create significant reliability and cost allocation challenges. 

SPP’s central location, diverse generation mix, and transparent wholesale market uniquely position the region to attract and integrate these large, forward-focused loads while supporting regional economic development. 

Current SPP processes (AQ, ATSS, AX) have limited flexibility, long study timelines, and cost uncertainty, making it difficult to meet the immediate needs of large loads. HILLs also typically require 24/7 operation with limited flexibility to curtail, conflicting with current planning frameworks. Transmission and reliability concerns could create cost shifts that could transfer to other customers if not proactively addressed through updated processes. 

Through this month’s stakeholder process, SPP proposed a new framework enabling large load integration through two new cluster study processes: 

Conditional High Impact Large Load Service (CHILLS): 

• 90-day study to provide provisional, curtailable service for up to five years. 
• Allows immediate operation while planning for firm service. 

Gen-supported HILL GI Assessment (HILLGA): 

• Simultaneous 90-day study of new load and supporting generation. 
• Enables tailored connection options: behind the meter, local area, or deliverability area. 

Per SPP, these solutions increase timing certainty and cost clarity, align incentives, and avoid reliability risks by managing volume and operational complexity.  

SPP laid out an accelerated stakeholder engagement and approval timeline, hoping to finalize the framework by August 2025, and then enable interconnections within 90 days, potentially as early as November 2025. 

Through this approach, SPP aims to become the region of choice for high-impact large loads by offering reliability, cost transparency, and speed unmatched in the industry. 

At EPE, we see these changes as an important opportunity for many of our load and generation interconnection clients. Contact our team using the form below to find out how we can help your project succeed as it moves through SPP processes and ultimately connects to the grid.