Gas-fired generating capacity accounted for about three-quarters of the 26,575 MW that has applied to take part in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s fast-track interconnection review process, the grid operator said Tuesday.
MISO received 47 applications for its Expedited Resource Addition Study, which aims to bring power supplies online quickly to meet near-term grid needs. The process allows planned resources that meet eligibility criteria to sidestep MISO’s standard interconnection queue reviews.
ERAS projects must meet a clear resource adequacy or reliability need, be able to come online in three to six years and have support from a “relevant electric retail regulatory authority,” such as a state utility commission.
Most applications were gas-fired projects, while storage projects accounted for about 15% of the proposed capacity and wind, solar and a nuclear project in Iowa made up about 4.5%, 4% and 2.5% of the capacity, respectively, according to MISO’s list of projects.
MISO draws 26.6 GW in fast-track review proposals
“This broad mix underscores MISO’s evolving energy landscape and the urgent need to bring new resources online to address growing reliability challenges,” Aubrey Johnson, MISO’s vice president of system planning, said in a press release. “These projects are designed to meet localized and accelerating demand growth.”
MISO will study ERAS projects on a first-come, first-served basis, with the first quarterly study beginning on Sept. 2. Under the ERAS process, MISO will study up to 10 projects per quarter, up to a maximum of 68 projects before the program ends on Aug. 31, 2027.
Proposals from Louisiana include five gas-fired power plants totaling 6,170 MW and a 208-MW storage project, according to MISO. Potential projects in Indiana include three gas-fired projects totaling 4,100 MW and three storage projects totaling 1,470 MW. Proposals from Minnesota include five storage projects totaling 1,250 MW, two gas-fired power plants totaling 824 MW, two solar projects totaling 193 MW and a 162-MW wind project.
Applications for the next quarterly review cycle are due Nov. 9.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved similar fast-track interconnection reviews for the PJM Interconnection and the Southwest Power Pool earlier this year.
