Additions of clean electricity generation and power lines are falling farther behind the pace of retiring coal and gas plants and surging data center and industrial demand, said the grid’s reliability monitor in an unusually grim outlook for the nation.
“The trends point to critical reliability challenges facing the industry: satisfying escalating energy growth, managing generator retirements, and accelerating resource and transmission development,” the North American Electric Reliability Corp. said in its annual 10-year forward assessment.
The central Midwestern states, part of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, face the greatest long-term risks of supply adequacy, despite a concerted strategy to increase transmission infrastructure.
MISO’s “high risk” rating indicates a threat of power losses under normal weather conditions.
