by Rebecca Walker — December 3, 2008—The outlook for electric reliability in North America this winter is generally good, announced the North American Electric Reliability Corporation in its 2008/2009 Winter Reliability Assessment recently. Generation and demand-side resources are expected to exceed target planning levels in all regions.
Demand for electricity and stress on the transmission system generally declines in North America during the winter months, primarily due to reduced air conditioning use. Much of Canada, however, typically experiences peak demand for electricity during the winter months due to electric heating. The resource outlook in Canada remains positive, with resource margins expected to improve from 14 percent last winter to 16 percent this winter.
The report highlights several key factors that contribute to the favorable assessment for this winter, including an anticipated mild winter and improvements in fuel availability and inventory.
The 2008/2009 Winter Reliability Assessment can be downloaded in pdf form. The mission of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s (NERC) is to ensure the reliability of the bulk power system in North America. For more information, see the Web site.
