On the afternoon of June 20, Southwest Power Pool (SPP) set a new renewable generation record, reaching an astounding 25,501 megawatts (MW). This isn't just a number; it means that at that moment, clean, renewable resources were serving over 50 percent of the majority of the energy load in the region. This surpasses the previous record of 25,475 MW, set last June.

So what does this tell us? SPP’s service territory covers more than 557,000 square miles, serving all or part of 14 states and providing additional energy services to customers in 23 states. SPP covers the American Midwest, ranging north from the Texas-Oklahoma border to Canada with additional coverage in neighboring states, including parts of Arkansas and Louisiana.

The area’s consistent winds have made it a suitable location for wind power generation. While the average wind speed in the Midwest varies by location, the average range is between 10 and 20 mph. In fact, Spring 2025 has been noted as the windiest spring in more than 50 years across the Midwest. Customers throughout SPP are benefiting from that.

What makes this particular record even more impactful is the timing.

June 20 marked the beginning of a heatwave across much of the Central and Eastern states. In SPP, wind power played a crucial role in keeping air conditioning units running when demand was high. During extreme weather events - like punishing heatwaves - reliability is key, not only for utility companies but also for the Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) who act as “air traffic controllers” for the grid, ensuring the continuous and reliable delivery of electricity.

But more than that, these numbers demonstrate that utility-scale solar and wind projects are not just ideas; they are actively and reliably contributing a significant portion of the electricity powering homes and businesses across our region. This successful integration should be a clear signal to other RTOs that a high penetration of renewables is not just achievable, but beneficial.