Electric Grid Prepared to Meet 2025 Summer Demand

RENSSELAER, NY (05/13/2025) (readMedia)-- The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) today reported that electricity supplies are adequate to meet expected summer demand under baseline conditions, but the grid operator's assessment also highlighted potential reliability concerns.

40,937 megawatts (MW) of power resources are available to meet forecasted peak demand conditions of 31,471 MW. In 2024, summer peak demand in New York State reached 28,990 MW.

In July 2013, New York recorded a record peak of 33,956 MW at the end of a week-long heat wave. Peak demand is a measurement of the average total electric demand by consumers for a one-hour period. One megawatt of electricity can serve approximately 800-1,000 homes.

Since last summer, six generating units with a nameplate capacity of 138 MW have been deactivated. The NYISO's summer assessment also identified that two generating units and one storage resource - with nameplate capacity of 228 MW - have been added to the grid. Despite these additions, factors such as aging generation, transmission constraints, and extreme weather could reduce already thin reliability margins.

"While our summer assessment shows that we'll be able to operate the grid reliably under forecasted conditions, we remain concerned about a variety of risks factors that could impact the grid," said Aaron Markham, Vice President of Operations for the New York Independent System Operator. "We will continue to coordinate with generators, utilities, and other stakeholders as we monitor and respond to system conditions as they arise throughout the summer season."

Accounting for certain factors, including unavailable generation and operating reserve requirements, the reliability margin under baseline conditions is 997 MW. Under extreme weather scenarios, reliability margins are forecasted to be deficient. For example, if the state experiences a heatwave with an average daily temperature of 95 degrees lasting 3 or more days, the capacity margin is forecasted to be -1,082 MW. That number declines further to -2,768 MW under an extreme heatwave with an average daily temperature of 98 degrees. Under those challenging conditions, NYISO operators will utilize up to 3,159 MW available through emergency operating procedures to maintain reliability.

NYISO operates the bulk electric system under the nation's strictest reliability standards. System reliability requirements are established, maintained, and enforced by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, North American Electric Reliability Corporation, the Northeast Power Coordinating Council, and the New York State Reliability Council.

About the New York ISO

The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) is a not-for-profit corporation responsible for operating the bulk electricity grid, administering the competitive wholesale electricity markets, conducting comprehensive long-term planning, and advancing the technological infrastructure of the electric system serving the Empire State.