New England will have access to more than enough electricity generation this winter, even in colder-than-normal conditions, according to the firm that operates the six-state power grid.
New England ISO says power plants of all types can generate 31,042 megawatts of electricity at any one time, far more than the 21,125 MW that it estimates would be needed even with below-average temperatures.
The all-time winter peak demand in New England was just over 22,000 MW back in 2004. Since then, increased energy efficiency, demand response and self-generation with solar panels has reduced the peak demand in both winter and summer.
ISO-NE releases capacity forecasts before every winter and summer by projecting weather conditions as well as expected demand and supply for electricity. This is the first forecast made using the Probabilistic Energy Adequacy Tool (PEAT), which is designed to give a better handle on extreme weather events such as a polar vortex.
“We’re well-prepared heading into winter,” Stephen George, ISO New England’s vice president of system operations and market administration, said in a statement. “Our enhanced forecasts and operating tools give us confidence in the system’s ability to meet electricity demand across New England.”
The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts that New Hampshire will have average temperatures and precipitation for the three-month winter season.