SPP GIAG July 22, 2026, Meeting Overview and Takeaways
1. RR 0790 / SIR 860 — HILLGIA Transition to CPP GIA
Establishes a pathway for High Impact Large Load Generator Interconnection Agreements (HILLGIAs) to transition into a Consolidated Planning Process GIA (CPP GIA), aligning the Tariff and Manual with the policy path previously approved by the CPPTF.
- Tariff/Manual changes: Establishes a Tariff framework and HILLGIA-conversion checkbox on the Interconnection Request form; where an ICS identifies a Limited Operation (LOIS) constraint, LLRIS from the HILLGIA may continue alongside the LOIS amount, capped at the total requested Interconnection Service, until identified Contingent Facilities are in service. Limited Operation is to be memorialized in a new Appendix A5 to the CPP GIA rather than through separate language changes.
- HILLGIA remains effective for up to five years from COD or until an accepted CPP GIA becomes effective, whichever occurs first.
- PIL / UPIL treatment: HILLGIA projects located at existing Planned Interconnection Locations (PILs) exceeding the PIL’s MW limit, as well as projects at Unplanned Interconnection Locations (UPILs), proceed through the applicable ICS process and remain subject to the standard pro-rata intra-queue priority process.
- The proposal was not endorsed during the GIAG meeting, with significant opposition and multiple abstentions recorded during the endorsement vote.
2. SIR 852 — SPP Series Compensation Process
The discussion continued SPP’s efforts to formalize SSR/SSCI risk-management requirements for series-compensated generation, with the previously established framework now being incorporated into Tariff, Business Practice, CPP Manual, and Planning Criteria requirements, along with updates to the EMT Study Manual and a new EMT Study Agreement.
- SSO protection & response: Mandatory in-service SSO protective relays with remote bypass and high-speed event recording. A post-COD relay trip triggers automatic bypass and notification to SPP/TOs/transmission operators, followed by an investigation (relay, PMU, SCADA data), and IC-funded SSO screening.
- Further clarifies EMT study requirements, including studies at least 15 months before COD and mitigation of adverse system impacts at least 60 days before COD.
- Cost responsibility & new agreement: The Interconnection Customer bears all monitoring, investigation, study, and mitigation costs, and must keep the capacitor out of service until mitigation is approved. A new standalone EMT Study Agreement (14 articles, for HVDC gen-tie interconnections) requires ICs (IBR and non-IBR) to sign and pay a $300,000 study deposit regardless of SCRCCT outcome.
- Next Steps: Under review by TATETF, ORWG, GIAG, TWG, RTWG, and CPPTF. Stakeholder comments due August 5, 2026.
3. GI Status Update
- DISIS-2024-001 Phase 1 Restudy #1 final report posted 7/20/2026; Phase 2 study begins 8/10/2026.
- Several additional Surplus and Modification requests remain in the pre-production pipeline for future studies.
- ESR-LA implementation continues, with multiple study cycles completed and others progressing through their scheduled timelines.
Overall Takeaways
The July 22 GIAG meeting advanced SPP’s generation interconnection framework on two fronts. RR 0790/SIR 860 was brought to GIAG for endorsement but did not pass — the vote saw significant rejections and abstentions — leaving the HILLGIA-to-CPP GIA pathway unresolved pending further stakeholder discussion. SIR 852 remains informational but advanced from concept to concrete implementation detail, defining specific EMT study, SSO protection, mitigation, and cost-responsibility requirements ahead of its TWG/RTWG/MOPC review track. The GI Status Update underscored the continued volume of active interconnection and special studies across the SPP footprint. Together, these items reflect SPP’s ongoing focus on formalizing interconnection policy, strengthening reliability requirements, and managing a growing study workload, with stakeholder review of RR 0790 and SIR 852 continuing through the working groups into Q4 2026.
As SPP continues refining its generator interconnection processes, reliability requirements, and planning framework, staying current on stakeholder developments is essential for developers, utilities, and transmission owners. Zero-Emission Grid (ZEG) provides timely analysis and concise summaries of ISO, RTO, utility, and regulatory meetings across North America. Contact us to get started or subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest interconnection, transmission planning, and power market insights delivered directly to your inbox.
