New York power grid expects demand to decline to 2028

• 5 years ago (2018-05-04)
• David Flin

Distribution 107 North America 996

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The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), the grid operator for the state of New York, USA, has said that it projects a decline of power demand at a rate of 0.14 per cent annually until 2028. It said that the decline will be due to increased effectiveness of efficiency programmes, and more homes and businesses generating their own electricity on site.

According to the NYISO, annual electricity usage in 2017 fell to its lowest level since 2001. In 2017, demand peaked at 29,699 MW, 7.4 per cent below the peak of 32,075 MW in 2016, and 12.6 per cent below the record peak of 33,956 MW in 2013.

As demand for power is declining, the NYISO said that the state’s generation mix is changing, with natural gas-fired units being built downstate, and wind farms upstate, while coal and nuclear plants are being retired. Since 2000, nearly 3000 MW of coal-fired generation has been retired, leaving 979 MW in 2018. These units are expected to be shut or converted into gas-fired units in 2020 due to state regulations regarding CO2 emissions.

The two reactors at Entergy’s 2069 MW Indian Point nuclear power plant will shut in 2020 and 2021. The NYISO said that the grid will remain reliable after the units shut as new sources of generation, mostly gas-fired, enter service.

NYISO expects about 17000 MW of renewable generation to enter service over the next decade to help the state meet its goal of requiring 50 per cent of energy consumed to come from renewable sources by 2030. In 2017, renewable sources of generation accounted for 29 per cent of the electricity produced in the state.