New York power grid under strain due to slow addition of renewables capacity, warns operator
New York's power grid is straining from the state's rapid electrification and slow transition to renewables, its grid operator New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) warned in a report.
NYISO said the state's electrification programs were increasing demand for power, even as older generators were retiring at a faster pace than new renewable capacity was entering the grid.
New York has phased out coal-based power generation capacity in favour of wind and cleaner, natural-gas-fired plants, but new renewables capacity isn't coming up at a fast-enough pace. The report shows the Empire State has deactivated 4,705 MW of thermal capacity, but in comparison, only 2,034 MW of renewables capacity has come on stream.
The situation is lowering reliability margins, most acutely in New York City, according to the Power Trends 2023 report.
NYISO estimates the grid needs to triple its supply of clean energy to meet the state's goal of an emission-free electric system by 2040. Last month, grid recorded its highest of energy from solar power, when the source produced 3,330 MW and accounted for 20% of requirement.
NYISO also warned that the potential for delays in construction of new supply and transmission, combined with higher than forecast demand and extreme weather could threaten reliability and resilience of the grid.
New York's climate act, signed in 2019, mandates emission reductions to 40% below the state's 1990 levels by 2030 and to 85% below its 1990 levels by 2050.
