November 23, 2005—ISO New England Inc., operator of the region’s bulk power system and wholesale electricity markets, said recently that, even under normal weather conditions, the region’s demand for electricity this winter could surpass the previous winter record established during the cold snap of January 2004.
But ISO says unless New England experiences weather conditions similar to those of the 2004 cold snap, the region’s supply of electricity should be adequate to meet projected electricity demand this winter.
However, due to the uncertainty resulting from hurricane damage to natural gas and oil production in the Gulf of Mexico and the unpredictable nature of New England’s weather, the ISO is taking precautionary steps to ensure that the region has a reliable supply of electricity throughout the winter.
Under normal weather conditions, ISO New England projects the 2005-2006 winter peak electricity demand to reach approximately 22,830 megawatts (MW), which would establish a new winter record. This projection is higher than the standing record for winter electricity demand of 22,818 MW, set on January 15, 2004, during a three-day period of frigid weather.
If extreme weather conditions occur this winter, there is a 10 percent chance that New England’s winter electricity demand would reach 23,740 MW, which would also be a new winter record. New England’s all-time record for electricity consumption was set on July 27, 2005, with electricity demand reaching 26,921 MW
Businesses can help. The ISO has expanded its Demand Response Program for this winter. By enabling more businesses to receive financial incentives to reduce electricity demand during peak periods, the program can significantly improve the reliability of the region-wide bulk power system, says ISO.
For more information, visit the ISO New England Web site.
