North America’s electric grid faces a rising risk of blackouts over the next decade as fossil-fuel plants close faster than solar and battery projects can connect to the system according to a new report from Bloomberg.
Key Facts:
– A new report from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) finds that over half of North America risks electricity supply shortages in the coming years.
– Surging demand, driven partly by electrification and artificial intelligence, outpaces the growth of reliable power sources.
– Fossil-fuel power plants are retiring quickly, with 78 gigawatts set to shut down in the next decade, and possibly up to 115 gigawatts.
– Replacements, such as solar and batteries, face delays in joining the grid and are more weather-dependent, raising reliability concerns.
– The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) region is highlighted as especially vulnerable to potential shortfalls.
The Rest of The Story:
The NERC report paints a picture of mounting pressure on the North American electric grid as demand steadily rises and reliable fossil-fuel plants come offline.
While utilities turn to solar, wind, and battery storage, these technologies are not joining the grid swiftly enough to close the gap.
Compounding the issue, the new resources depend on weather and can be slow to come online due to logistical and technical hurdles.
As a result, a large swath of the United States and parts of Canada may face more frequent shortages when demand spikes during extreme winters or hot summers.
The Midcontinent Independent System Operator which serves much of the Midwest, appears to be at especially high risk.
This shortfall grows more alarming as data centers, including those supporting AI technologies, boost demand at a pace that planners find challenging to match.
The risk of blackouts will increase for most of North America over the coming decade due to surging electricity demand and the closing of fossil-fuel power plants, according to a report https://t.co/c2SXFrOxbK
— Bloomberg Green (@climate) December 17, 2024
Commentary:
The persistent push to close fossil-fuel plants before their replacements are fully operational is a recipe for economic turmoil.
Forcing such a rapid transition leaves homeowners and businesses facing potential blackouts and higher costs, all while new technologies remain unreliable or slow to deploy at scale.
A booming economy requires a stable and affordable energy supply.
It is economic suicide to shutter dependable sources before ensuring that renewable and battery solutions can carry the load.
The return of a Trump administration would likely refocus on energy policies that put reliability first, offering a more balanced approach that could protect families, businesses, and growth.
The Bottom Line:
North America’s grid is on a precarious path as dependable energy sources vanish faster than new resources appear.
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Without a more measured approach, the lights may not stay on reliably in the years ahead.