Electricity supply across the central U.S. and New England could be challenged this summer if extended extreme heat waves coincide with periods of weak wind and solar power, the North American Electric Reliability Corp. said Wednesday.
Four major central U.S. grid systems are ranked as “elevated” risk areas by NERC this summer: the Midcontinent Independent System Operator regional grid that straddles the Mississippi River, grid areas to the West and South including the Southwest Power Pool and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, along with the New England Independent System Operator.
“Elevated” status refers to the risk that a region’s operating reserves — the cushion against grid emergencies — could shrink into dangerous territory under extreme adverse conditions.
The NERC 2025 summer reliability assessment “reflects a mixed outlook, progress in some areas, but a grid still under stress,” said John Moura, NERC director of reliability assessment and performance analysis. “That means careful and coordinated planning, timely investment in infrastructure, and staying vigilant through every hour of the season.”
