Resources planning to go online in ERCOT must register as an ERCOT resource entity after meeting the requirements of Planning Guide Section 6.9 – Addition of Proposed Generation to the Planning Models.
As part of this process, resource entities must secure a Production Load Date (PLD) for inclusion in ERCOT’s Network Operations Model. The PLD allows the resource to receive ERCOT’s approval to energize. Securing a PLD requires submitting Full Registration data online via ERCOT’s RIOO-IS platform and approval by ERCOT at least 90 days before the desired PLD, typically 20-40 days ahead of the desired energization date.
The current PLD submission deadline (per Protocol Section 3.10.1) often provides insufficient time for ERCOT to review complex Full Registration data. Many submissions arrive at ERCOT just 1–2 days before the deadline, leaving limited time to correct errors or address deficiencies before modeling begins.
ERCOT’s Nodal Protocol Revision Request (NPRR) 1254 aims to address the timeline challenge by requiring initial Full Registration data submission four months before the desired PLD—or 140 to 160 days before the energization date. The change creates a one-month window for ERCOT and the resource entity to address errors or deficiencies consistent with the process outlined in Planning Guide Section 6.8.2, Resource Registration Process.
On 11/20/2024, ERCOT’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) recommended approval of the NPRR1254 as recommended by the Protocol Revision Subcommittee (PRS), with a recommended effective date of March 1, 2025.
Given the complexity of securing a PLD, EPE recommends initiating the process at least seven months before the resource’s desired energization date to avoid delays in your project’s schedule. With extensive experience working with ERCOT, EPE can assist resource entities in navigating this process.
For any support with projects targeting energization in Q2 2025 onwards, please contact EPE here.
