Extreme Weather Heightens Risk To Grid Reliability As Winter Is Coming
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NERC’s 2025–2026 Winter Reliability Assessment examines regional risks of power shortages due to accelerating growth in peak power demand outpacing new supplies. Winterclad engineer, wearing mask and hardhat, is working at snowy substation with power lines, towers, and monitoring equipment to ensure safe and reliable energy transmission. getty This winter, the U.S. power grid faces heightened risk of energy shortages during prolonged, extreme weather events, according to a report released on November 18, 2025 by the North American Energy Reliability Council. NERC is a non-profit international body that develops, implements, and enforces mandatory reliability standards for the bulk power system at the direction of the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in accordance with Section 215 of the Federal Power Act. NERC assesses the reliability of the bulk power system twice a year. Growing demand for power is expected to outpace additions to power supply and transmission nationally, compressing reserve margins. Under normal conditions, the power grid should remain capable of delivering sufficient power to meet peak demand. If there is a prolonged winter weather event, however, the available resources might not be enough to keep the lights on, elevators running, and electric heaters working in some parts of the country. Freezing Temperatures Boost Demand And Threaten Supply Of Power According to NERC, prolonged, wide-area cold snaps can drive sharp increases in electricity demand, especially for heating. At the same time, winter freezes can constrain the availability of fuel supplies for natural-gas-fired generation, often in competition with gas demand for heating and manufacturing. Gas transportation and storage infrastructure is often vulnerable to freezing temperatures, which can result in gas flow restrictions and frozen sensing lines, condensate systems, water lines and valves. Below-freezing temperatures can also adversely affect wind power generators due to ice accumulation on blades or cold weather operating limits.…
Filed under: News - @ November 19, 2025 2:29 pm