NOTICE DATE: May 1, 2020

NOTICE TYPE: M-C050120-01 Operations

SHORT DESCRIPTION: Eagle Pass Direct Current (DC) Tie Permanently Removed from Service

INTENDED AUDIENCE:  ERCOT Market Participants

DAY AFFECTED:  March 23, 2020

LONG DESCRIPTION:  The 36-MW Eagle Pass DC Tie (a voltage source converter) has been unavailable since March 23, 2020, due to a forced outage.  Although the Outage Scheduler entry indicates an expected return to service date of June 22, 2020, AEP Texas Inc. (AEP) has informed ERCOT that the Eagle Pass DC Tie has been permanently removed from service due to the unavailability of necessary replacement parts. 

AEP and ERCOT have each independently evaluated the transmission reliability impacts associated with the DC Tie being out of service and have both found that this does not create any new reliability criteria violations on the ERCOT System.  This determination is based on AEP’s confirmation that it will not be removing the capacitors at the site of the DC Tie.

ERCOT is no longer approving e-Tags for the Eagle Pass DC Tie.  ERCOT will also be updating ERCOT procedure manuals, models, and planning studies as needed to reflect the permanent removal from service of the Eagle Pass DC Tie.  ERCOT will manage the removal of the Eagle Pass DC Tie Load Zone Settlement Point through changes to the Network Operations Model using existing Settlement Point retirement processes and timelines.

AEP is currently evaluating what substation changes would be required to restore the availability of the Eagle Pass Block Load Transfer (BLT) scheme.  ERCOT will issue a Market Notice if AEP notifies ERCOT that the Eagle Pass BLT will be permanently removed from service.

CONTACT:  If you have any questions, please contact your ERCOT Account Manager.  You may also call the general ERCOT Client Services phone number at (512) 248-3900 or contact ERCOT Client Services via email at ClientServices@ercot.com.

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