Impacts of Offshore Wind on Reliability and Affordability in ISO-NE and NYISO

White Paper

A new report from Charles River Associates, released today through Turn Forward’s Energy Research Exchange, finds that the Northeast power grid is under growing stress due to increased demand from electrification and limits on natural gas availability during peak load periods, especially in wintertime. Locally generated resources like offshore wind that deliver power at scale during high-stress conditions can enhance electric reliability and help contain costs in New England and New York.

Offshore wind power directly addresses regional reliability challenges by providing critical support during high-stress periods like temperature extremes when power demand surges and fuel supplies are strained. Over the next decade, CRA’s report forecasts Northeast winter electricity demand rising by more than 12,000 MW (equivalent to 3M homes), heightening the need for resources like offshore wind that perform well when the grid undergoes stress in both winter as well as historical summer peak conditions.