New York grid operator warns about undersupply by 2033

The state grid operator warned on Thursday that New York City could face power shortages in summer 2033 due to a growing electricity demand and a decreasing supply of fossil-fired generators.

The New York Independent System Operator stated that the trend to shut down power plants more quickly than they can be replaced by clean, new sources of supply, at the same time as electricity demand increases from electrification in buildings and transport, data centers, and chip makers, threatens the grid's stability.

NYISO's biennial reliability report stated that New York City may experience a power shortage of up to 17 megawatts in one hour in summer 2033 and 97MW in three hours during summer 2034 at peak demand. Blackouts and forced electricity conservation can be caused by power deficits.

NYISO stated that completing transmission lines projects, increasing energy efficiency, and adding new power generation could help to eliminate any shortages.

Permitting and litigation often delay the construction of new transmission lines in the United States.

The report states that if transmission projects such as the Champlain Hudson Power Express don't come into service on time, the most populous city in the country could experience shortfalls by 2026.

The spring of 2026 is the projected date for the start of service of the 340-mile (545 km) Champlain Transmission Project, which will bring 1,250 Megawatts of hydroelectricity generated in Canada to New York City.

The group also raised concerns about reliability due to a projected shift in the pattern of electricity peaking in summer and winter as more heating systems are converted to electric. (Reporting and editing by Jonathan Oatis; Laila Kearney)

(source: Reuters)