As of 6:45 a.m. today (Tuesday), the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) required Evergy to resume emergency electricity reductions (planned power outages) due to extended extreme weather conditions affecting the entire Midwest. Controlled intermittent power outages have started across Evergy’s service territory.
The SPP continues to operate under emergency energy alerts as extended cold temperatures continue to strain the regional power grid. Evergy will provide an update on local and SPP system conditions. Due to extended extreme temperatures affecting the regional power supply and even greater energy demand, the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) has asked member electric utilities, including Evergy, to implement controlled, temporary emergency electricity reductions in order to help avoid larger uncontrolled and extended power outages throughout the region.
The current outages are targeted to last 30 to 60 minutes, but may have to increase to 60 to 90 minutes to meet requirements from SPP. Once the period has concluded, power will be restored to the impacted area. The emergency outages will then rotate to another portion of Evergy’s service area. Power will cycle off and on periodically until the reduction is no longer required by the SPP. With these extreme cold temperatures, equipment may not operate as intended. As a result, outages could last longer than 60 minutes.
If you are impacted by an emergency electricity reduction, you do not need to report your outage. If you experience an outage that lasts longer than an hour, call 888-544-4852 (Kansas City Metro and Missouri customers) or 800-544-4857 (Kansas Central customers).
Evergy asks customers to continue to conserve energy to help reduce stress on the power grid, potentially reducing the ongoing need for emergency reductions.
.Turn thermostats a little cooler (65-68 degrees). Avoid the use of electric space heaters.
.Close blinds and shades to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows.
.Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances
.When possible, delay non-essential uses of energy washing drying clothes, washing dishes and bathing to non-peak hours, between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
.Use low-temperature cooking methods and avoid opening the oven door if it’s on.
Evergy is also working with its large commercial and industrial customers to reduce energy usage this week. The company has reduced electricity use at Evergy facilities, implemented cold-weather procedures, and adapted operations at its power plants to keep equipment working and fuel available to generate electricity for customers.
Evergy is a member of the Southwest Power Pool, which coordinates the regional transmission grid and wholesale energy markets for a 17-state region across the central United States, including Kansas and Missouri. The SPP monitors power flow through its footprint and coordinates regional response in emergency situations.
In addition to the SPP call for reductions, its peers in Texas and the upper Midwest are also facing electricity shortages and are asking customers to conserve.