New York City’s electrical grid faces imminent risks, prompting urgent action to ensure stability and reliability.
In June 2023, New York’s electric grid confronted a significant challenge as soaring temperatures escalated energy demand. The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) issued multiple emergency energy warnings, reflecting the strain on the electric grid amid the peak summer season. The events of this summer point to a pressing necessity: the need for increased electric supply to ensure reliability for the future.
The recently published 2025 Quarter 3 Short-Term Assessment of Reliability (STAR) report reveals a concerning trend, with projections indicating a deficient transmission security margin in New York City beginning in 2026. This deficiency suggests that absent appropriate interventions, the grid may become vulnerable to disturbances such as short circuits or unforeseen generator failures, thereby posing serious implications for public safety.
The issues observed in June are not anomalies but rather indicative of broader weaknesses within the state’s energy infrastructure. Currently, the electric generation fleet in New York amounts to approximately 40,000 megawatts, but around 7,000 megawatts of this capacity is over 50 years old, with some generators exceeding 70 years of age. Such aging equipment has proven more prone to failures during times of heightened demand, which the STAR report noted could become increasingly problematic as demand continues to climb due to economic growth, building electrification, and rising air conditioning usage during heat waves.
While proposed projects like the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) and the Propel NY transmission project are expected to make positive contributions to the grid, they will not suffice on their own. There is an urgent need to accelerate the development of new generation resources, especially those that can respond nimbly to grid pressures. Upgrading transmission infrastructure is also crucial to ensure that electricity can be efficiently distributed to areas where it is most needed.
Addressing these challenges is a complex endeavor, compounded by constraints in the energy supply chain. The increasing costs of critical grid components such as transformers and conductors are driven by inflation, heightened global demand, and ongoing material shortages. Additionally, lead times for important equipment and construction projects have ballooned from months to years, and permitting and siting processes can significantly delay projects, hindering timely responses to reliability concerns.
A comprehensive approach to energy resource development is essential. While renewable sources like offshore wind, battery storage, and solar power play a vital role in achieving long-term decarbonization goals, they must be complemented by reliable, dispatchable resources. This may include introducing cleaner fossil fuel generation technologies, such as high-efficiency gas turbines with lower emissions profiles, to maintain reliability during periods when renewable resources are unavailable.
This call to action does not suggest abandoning New York’s climate objectives. Instead, it advocates for a balanced approach that prioritizes both reliability and sustainability of the grid. As the state’s energy landscape evolves, it must remain secure, adaptable, and environmentally responsible.
The STAR report serves as a critical reminder of the urgency for coordinated action across industries and government entities to invest in the necessary infrastructure to deliver safe and reliable power to New York City while simultaneously working to reduce emissions. The future of the city’s energy system and the well-being of millions hinge on this resolve to meet the challenges ahead.
