ISO New England Projects Adequate Power Supplies to Meet Winter Electricity Demand

New England will have the resources needed to meet demand for electricity in the six-state region this winter, according to ISO New England Inc., the operator of the region’s bulk power system and wholesale electricity markets.

ISO New England projections indicate that under normal winter weather conditions of about 7 degrees Fahrenheit (°F), New England’s peak demand for electricity is forecasted to reach 23,030 megawatts (MW), although current economic conditions are likely to slow consumer demand. In the event of a prolonged cold snap with temperatures hovering around 1°F, the demand for electric energy could climb to 24,175 MW. The current record for winter peak electricity demand in the six-state region is 22,818 MW, set on January 15, 2004. The all-time record occurred on August 2, 2006, when demand hit 28,130 MW. One megawatt of electricity can serve about 1,000 homes.

The combination of 33,750 MW of capacity available from regional power plants and more than 1,800 MW of demand-side resources that can be called upon when supplies get tight will help the region meet peak demand this winter.

Also during the winter months, ISO New England and the regional natural gas industry communicate regularly to manage their operations to handle the high demand for electricity and natural gas. Natural gas is used to fuel more than 40 percent of New England’s power plants and to heat many homes and businesses.

If the region should experience the convergence of a prolonged cold spell, high electricity use, and unexpected outages of power plants or major transmission lines, ISO New England may at times need to take special steps to balance supply with demand. These actions could include buying electricity from neighboring power grids, drawing upon reserves, asking companies participating in demand-resource programs to temporarily reduce electricity consumption, and asking the public to conserve electricity voluntarily.

Created in 1997, ISO New England is the independent, not-for-profit corporation responsible for reliably operating New England’s 32,000-megawatt bulk electric power generation and transmission system, overseeing and ensuring the fair administration of the region’s $10 billion wholesale electricity markets, and managing comprehensive regional electric power planning.