Reuters reported that on December 17, the North American Energy Reliability Corporation (NERC) warned that energy shortages could lead to power outages in many areas and called for energy-saving measures.
Energy consumption in the US is at an all-time high due to the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and the strong electrification trend of infrastructure systems, NERC said.
NERC Director John Moura said that current electricity supply efforts seem unable to keep up with the increase in demand, and the gap between supply and demand is widening.
Also according to NERC, although the Midcontinental System Operator (MISO) manages the power grid covering 15 US states, it still faces the risk of power shortages even during periods of peak energy demand in the annual cycle.
Several other grid operators are also facing severe shortages, including PJM Interconnection, ISO New England, as well as operators in Texas and California during extreme heat and cold spells.
The early closure of fossil fuel power plants, expected to take place before new supplies come online, is also a factor contributing to the increased risk of energy shortages.
According to NERC, the upcoming power plant retirements could cut 78 gigawatts of electricity capacity. And by 2034, another 37 gigawatts will be cut as part of the planned fossil fuel plant retirements in the United States. One gigawatt of capacity can power about 1 million American homes.
NERC is a North American nonprofit organization that develops industry standards and conducts assessments and forecasts to ensure the reliability and security of the electric grid.
