NERC: Nation’s electric grid at elevated risk during extreme winter weather

Most regions across the United States are facing elevated risks of electricity supply shortfalls this winter, particularly during extreme weather events, according to a new report from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). In its Winter Reliability Assessment released Nov. 14, NERC highlighted growing challenges to the nation’s power grid as dispatchable generation sources – such as coal and natural gas power plants – are retired.

In the Upper Midwest’s MISO region – where Minnkota operates – the elevated risks are attributed to the retirement of 5 gigawatts of coal and natural gas generation since last winter.

“With fewer internal dispatchable resources and increasing reliance on wind and imports, the risk of supply shortfall in winter has increased in MISO,” the NERC report concluded.

NERC’s findings emphasize the growing vulnerability of the nation’s electric grid amid the transition to lower-carbon but more variable power sources. As the grid evolves, ensuring reliability during periods of extreme weather will require careful planning and investment in both generation capacity and infrastructure resilience.

NERC outlined several strategies for grid operators, generation owners and government authorities to prevent energy emergencies and reduce the risk of power outages. These recommendations include bolstering preparedness for periods of high electricity demand and low wind output, winterizing generation units to ensure their reliability in extreme cold and enhancing operational coordination to secure adequate fuel supplies for power generation.