Energy officials say New England has enough power for peak summer demand
The operator of New England’s regional electric grid says the region has adequate resources to handle demand for power, even though there is less generation capability available than there was last summer.
Holyoke, Massachusetts-based ISO-New England (ISO-NE) is projecting that under normal weather conditions of about 90 degrees, demand for electricity will peak at 26,710 megawatts. Extreme heat this summer, which ISO-NE defines as an extended heat wave of about 94 degrees, could push demand up to 29,060 megawatts.
If the latter scenario were to occur, it would represent an all-time record for peak demand. The current record for peak demand was set on August 2, 2006, when demand reached 28,130 megawatts.
If all generating resources in New England were operating at full output, the total amount of power produced would be approximately 30,325 megawatts, according to ISO-NE officials.
