SPP's interconnection queue holds 151 GW across 688 active projects today. Lengthy study periods mean projects wait four years before receiving an interconnection agreement. On March 13, 2026, FERC unanimously approved SPP's reformed CPP queue design to help accelerate this process.

The Consolidated Planning Process (CPP) merges SPP's previously separate transmission planning and generator interconnection workflows into a single assessment.

SPP will identify where generators are needed most on the network, then invite market participants to submit connection requests for these locations - flipping the traditional connection process.

For developers stuck in the old queue, this is a second chance at a faster timeline.

Key takeaways

• CPP targets interconnection agreements in 10 months, down from a median of 51 months under the old process.
• Planned Interconnection Locations (PILs) will give developers pre-screened grid connection points. At a PIL, the only interconnection cost will be a standardized, up-front GRID-C fee - avoiding unexpected future network upgrade charges. SPP expects to identify hundreds of PILs across its footprint.
• ​GRID-C contributions may be significantly higher than historical interconnection costs in SPP. Developers pay a known amount upfront rather than an unknown amount years later.
• The first transitional CPP cluster study window is open for applications from April 1, 2026 to May 31st 2026. Final agreements from this first cycle are expected by early 2027.

CPP introduces PILs and GRID-C to replace connection cost uncertainty

Under the old system, developers proposed a Point of Interconnection and waited years to learn their network upgrade costs. Those costs arrived late, varied wildly, and triggered cascading restudies when projects dropped out.

The CPP replaces this with two mechanisms.

1. Planned Interconnection Locations (PILs): Pre-screened grid points where transmission capacity exists or is planned.
2. Generalized Rate for Interconnection Development-Contribution (GRID-C): A standardized up-front connection cost that avoids additional network upgrade costs.

Median interconnection costs for successful wind and solar projects in SPP have hovered at $34/kW. The new GRID-C costs at planned locations are expected to settle twice as high, once these are finalized in Fall 2026.

Developers pay a premium in connection costs to guarantee projects avoid unforeseen network upgrade charges. Historically, these have been as high as $1,000/kW - causing projects to withdraw from the queue years after applying.

Any projects sited at Unplanned Interconnection Locations (UPILs) will pay GRID-C, plus any Directly Assigned Upgrade Costs for network upgrades below 100kV.

When and how to enter the new CPP queue

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The first CPP window is a transitional cycle. It opens April 1, 2026, and closes May 31, 2026. Developers must submit complete applications within this period, including technical models, proof of 100% site control, and a financial security deposit.

After the window closes, SPP will validate applications and fix technical errors during a cure period (June–July 2026). The 180-day Interconnection Cluster Study will begin in August 2026, with agreements expected by spring 2027.