The New York Electric System Faces “Profound Reliability Challenges.”
Why we oppose a new AI Data Center in Tompkins County: Mini Series Part 3
NY ISO Reports Challenges for the Grid
“New York’s electric system faces an era of profound reliability challenges as resource retirements accelerate, economic development drives demand growth, and project delays undermine confidence in future supply. Additionally, 25% of the state’s total generating capacity is fossil-fuel-based generation that has been in operation for more than 50 years. As these generators age, they are experiencing more frequent and longer outages.”
Reliability Challenges for the Grid
“The margin for error is extremely narrow, and most plausible futures point to significant reliability shortfalls within the next ten years. Depending on demand growth and retirement patterns, the system may need several thousand megawatts of new dispatchable generation over that timeframe.”
NY ISO Still Needs to Evaluate and Plan for Reliability Improvements
The reliability of the grid in NY is not a guarantee. The NY ISO will discuss their recommendations with stakeholders prior to the start of the 2026 cycle of the Reliability Planning Process. Adding massive loads like data centers before the system can be fully evaluated is irresponsible and unsustainable.
Data centers would severely disrupt the grid by adding massive energy consumption during both peak AND off-peak hours. These facilities have to operate 24/7. This kind of consumption during off-peak hours, especially if not met with additional infrastructure, could severely disrupt the grid.
We Have the Ability to Slow Down the Current Unregulated AI Boom by Rejecting TeraWulf’s Development in Lansing
Do we want to approve this project during times when our power grid is uncertain and utility prices are skyrocketing? It seems that a slower approach to large energy consumers would be the most beneficial to the power grid and all of its customers.
It is our duty to be informed about these big-picture topics related to AI and make the right decision for our community and for our lake.
Follow along this week for more of our mini series.
