The Board of Directors of ISO New England, the operator of the region’s bulk power system and wholesale electricity markets, approved RSP09. The planning document reports on the status of the region’s power system, defines areas where improvements are needed, and outlines regional challenges and opportunities through 2018. The plan also describes initiatives underway to address the power grid’s future needs.
Gordon Welie, president and CEO of ISO New England, said: “RSP09, which was developed in collaboration with our stakeholders, builds on the foundation of earlier system plans. These plans are guiding development of a regional power system that is not only more reliable, but also more capable of efficient production and delivery of competitively priced power.”
As reported, the region is expected to have the resources needed to meet consumer demand and maintain bulk power system reliability through 2018 with the 37,283MW secured in the second Forward Capacity Auction. Energy consumption is projected to grow an average 0.9% annually over the next 10 years, while summer peak demand is expected to grow by 1.2% per year.
The region has made improvements required for power system reliability, including the completion of seven major 345kV transmission upgrades since 2002. Competitive wholesale markets have encouraged the construction of nearly 12,500MW of new generation in the region.
ISO New England is an independent corporation responsible for operating New England’s 32,000MW bulk electric power generation and transmission system, overseeing and ensuring the administration of the region’s $12 billion wholesale electricity markets, and managing regional electric power planning.
