Despite recent moves toward natural gas and renewable sources, Connecticut still is heavily reliant on petroleum for the bulk of its electricity capacity, according to the 2011 state profile released by ISO New England this week.
Every year, regional electricity monitor ISO New England releases state-by-state data of the power grid, including generation supply and demand, fuel mix and renewable efforts.
For 2011, Connecticut is expected to need 25 percent of New England’s power with a peak demand over 7,100 megawatts. The state has 7,900 megawatts of power to meet that demand; but because a portion of that comes from peaker plants that only run during times of extreme need, Connecticut must import some of its power from other states.
Of the power plants in Connecticut, 34 percent of their fuel comes from oil, much higher than the New England average of 21 percent. Connecticut’s second biggest source of generation is natural gas at 30 percent followed by nuclear power at 26 percent, coal at 7 percent and hydroelectric at 1 percent.
Connecticut’s Renewable Portfolio Standards call for 20 percent of the state’s electricity to come from Class I renewables such as solar, wind and biomass.
The state also has 740 megawatts of demand resources, which are electricity customers who agree to shut down part of their operations during times of extreme demand. Connecticut has the second most demand resources of any New England state, after Massachusetts’ 935 megawatts.
