Aug 26 (Reuters) - U.S. power grid operator Southwest Power Pool (SPP) on Monday issued an Energy Emergency Alert (EEA1) due to high demand as consumers crank up their air conditioners to escape a brutal heat wave.

In addition, SPP said the grid had less power resources available due to plant outages and low output from variable energy resources like wind and solar.

"The declaration of an EEA1 does not require the public to conserve energy and does not indicate that SPP will be directing controlled service outages," SPP said.

SPP is a grid operator for 14 states in the Midwest and West.

SPP said that an EEA1 is an indication that while the grid operator has enough generation available to meet demand and fulfill its reserve obligations, conditions exist that could put reserves at risk if the situation worsens.

EEA1 is the initial level of energy emergency alert. An EEA2 would be activated if SPP could no longer meet expected energy reserve requirements.

Sign up here.

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/spp-issues-energy-emergency-alert-1-due-high-temperatures-2024-08-26/