(Reuters] – New York’s power system could be facing challenges over the period 2021-2030. This includes higher demand from extreme weather events and delays to planned projects.

The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), in its comprehensive reliability plan https://www.nyiso.com/documents/20142/2248481/2021-2030-Comprehensive-Reliability-Plan.pdf/99a4a589-7a80-13f6-1864-d5a4b698b916 (CRP), also said during normal weather conditions its power system is expected to meet all applicable reliability standards during that period.

The U.S. Energy Regulators and North American regulators issued in September recommendations and required electric reliability standards to utilities in order to avoid a repetition of February’s devastating power outages that occurred in Texas after a deep freeze.

According to the grid operator, “The baseline analysis of weather conditions and short outages indicates a negative but decreasing transmission security margin for the ten year period.”

“However the combined impact of increased electric demand from extreme weather conditions and forced generation outages could lead to deficiencies in the ability to consistently serve New York City consumers over many years.”

It stated that any delay in transmission projects could also affect the grid’s ability during this time to supply power demand.

“The latest study demonstrates that our reliability margins are thinning to concerning levels beginning in 2023,” said Zach Smith, Vice President of System & Resource Planning at NYSIO.

According to the operator, additional transmission facilities could be used as well as increased energy efficiency and demand responses. They also suggested that integration of energy resources from other sources might help reduce risks.

The NYSIO stated that mandates to generate 70% of state electricity from renewable sources by 2030, and 100% emission-free supply by 2040 by 2030 could be challenged due to climate change and volatility in electricity production from solar and wind resources.