HOLYOKE, Mass. – The region’s electrical supply should be adequate to meet this winter’s projected needs, according to a report Thursday from ISO New England Inc., operator of the region’s bulk power system and wholesale electricity markets.
“We are cautiously optimistic that New Englanders can expect a sufficient electric power supply this winter,” said Stephen G. Whitley, ISO New England’s senior vice president and chief operating officer. “If power system conditions change through extreme weather or unforeseen outages, ISO New England has a series of steps it can take to maintain reliability and help balance electricity supply and demand.”
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Among factors contribute to the forecast, the nonprofit mentioned petroleum production in the Gulf of Mexico, which has mostly recovered from last year’s hurricane damage. As a result, supplies of oil and natural gas – which fuel many of New England’s power plants – are expected to be adequate this winter.
In addition, more power plants in the region now have the flexibility to burn either natural gas or oil, in case of shortages of one fuel arise, as can occur in extreme winter conditions. Since the January 2004 Cold Snap, an additional 2,270 megawatts (MW) of New England’s generating capacity has become dual-fuel capable, the report said.
Finally, normal winter weather is forecasted for the region, it said. These and other conditions should help ensure a reliable supply of electricity during the coldest months of the year.
ISO New England projects the region’s 2006-2007 winter peak electricity use will reach about 22,550 megawatts during normal winter weather conditions. That’s 268 MW below the standing record for winter electricity use of 22,818 MW, set on Jan. 15, 2004, but 782 MW greater than last winter’s peak demand of 21,768 MW.
If extreme weather conditions occur, the company gives a 10-percent chance that the region’s electricity use this season could reach 23,475 MW, setting a new winter record. New England’s all-time record for electricity consumption was set on Aug. 2, 2006, when peak demand reached 28,127 MW.
ISO New England Inc. – an independent not-for-profit corporation based in Holyoke, Mass. – operates New England’s 32,000-megawatt bulk electric power generation and transmission system, oversees administration of the region’s $11 billion wholesale electricity markets, and manages comprehensive regional electric power planning.
