The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has issued its 2025 Summer Reliability Assessment. In it, they stated that most utilities are prepared for typical summer conditions and the rise in electric use for air conditioning. But other regions may experience an elevated risk of outages due to extreme heat or when more generation is limited.
The electric grid is a vast network of power plants, transmission lines and distribution systems, like Farmers Electric Cooperative, that work together to deliver electricity to homes and businesses. Grid reliability means ensuring enough electricity is always available to meet demand – even on the hottest days of the year, when the sun isn’t shining to generate solar energy, or the wind isn’t blowing to generate wind energy.
The assessment points out that across North America, the total forecasted peak summer demand has increased by more than 10 GW since 2024 – more than double the increase seen in 2023. This growth is being driven by the expansion of data center and industrial facilities as well as the increasing electrification across many sectors.
At the same time, more than 7.4 GW of generation capacity has retired or gone inactive since last summer. These are mainly dispatchable resources – ones that can operate at any time to help balance the grid, and include coal, natural gas and nuclear.
When the system is under stress due to high demand, we need to rely on our members to help by reducing their electric use. Quick actions by our co-op members can make a meaningful difference. Adjusting your thermostat a few degrees higher, postponing use of large appliances until the evening hours, and turning off lights are just a few simple yet effective ways you can help ease the strain on the grid.
Farmers Electric works closely with our power provider, Central Iowa Power Cooperative, to prepare and plan for peak demand periods. With your help, we can all work together to help ensure our community continues to receive reliable and affordable electric service throughout the summer.