The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) recently released its 2024/2025 Winter Reliability Assessment, which found that the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) region, which includes our local utility, is expected to have sufficient electric generation capacity to meet normal winter demand.
While the immediate outlook is stable, the electric grid is facing some significant long-term challenges:
Electricity demand is growing rapidly, driven by trends such as increased electrification and the growth of data centers. This is putting more strain on the grid.
Many traditional power plants like coal, natural gas, and nuclear are being retired, often before the end of their useful life. This is reducing the availability of dispatchable, on-demand power sources.
Renewable energy sources like wind and solar are growing, but their variable and intermittent nature requires careful planning to maintain reliability.
To address these challenges and ensure reliable and affordable power for our members, we are working with others in our industry to take several key actions:
Advocating for policies that prioritize both reliability and affordability as a member-owned cooperative;
Maintaining a diverse mix of power sources, including fossil fuels and renewables, to provide reliable, 24/7 electricity;
Investing in grid infrastructure upgrades and new construction projects to enhance regional connectivity and resilience; and,
Coordinating closely with the regional grid operator (SPP) and neighboring utilities on emergency preparedness and response plans.
The goal is to work proactively to sustain a reliable and affordable electric grid for the long term despite the significant changes happening in the energy landscape. Your local utility remains committed to this effort on your behalf.