New England expected to have resources to meet energy demands this summer

The COVID-19 pandemic will continue to change consumer energy consumption patterns and usage, but the New England region is expected to have the necessary resources to meet peak consumer demand for electricity this summer.

According to ISO New England, the operator of the region’s bulk power system and wholesale electricity markets, electricity demand is forecasted to peak at 25,125 megawatts (MW) with extreme summer weather, such as an extended heatwave, possibly pushing it up to 27,084 MW.

ISO New England, which has observed a 3 to 5 percent decline in consumer demand attributable to the pandemic, said the region is designed to handle the fluctuations in consumer demand.

“We expect the pandemic to continue to affect the way consumers use energy throughout the summer, though the exact changes are impossible to predict due to uncertainty regarding social distancing measures and economic activity,” Vamsi Chadalavada, the ISO’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, said. “New England’s power system is able to account for and respond to this uncertainty.”

More than 33,000 MW of capacity is expected to be available to meet New England consumer demand for electricity. Last summer’s demand peak was 24,004 MW, occurring on July 30, 2019. The record for peak demand was set on August 2, 2006, reaching 28,130 MW after a prolonged heatwave.