Good news for all you electricity and heat users: New England is expected to have adequate power resources this winter to meet demand.
That’s according to grid operator ISO New England, which issues a similar all-clear each year ahead of the official start of winter.
Consumer demand is projected to peak at 20,357 megawatts if weather conditions are normal, but at 21,057 megawatts if temperatures are extreme.
The region has yet to surpass the record peak demand of 22,818 megawatts, set during a cold snap during winter 2004.
Part of the reason for that is energy-efficiency measures and the spread of solar energy has helped keep consumption and peak demand flat in recent years, ISO NE said.
While it’s given the all-clear for this winter, the grid operator said it continues to be concerned about natural gas delivery infrastructure.
“The region’s natural gas delivery infrastructure has expanded only incrementally, while reliance on natural gas as the predominant fuel for both power generation and heating continues to grow,” ISO NE said.
When the weather is extremely cold, that can limit the availability of natural gas for use by power plants, since the fuel is being used for heat.