The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) today (Jan 13) released its quarterly assessment of reliability of the bulk electric system. The fourth-quarter Short-Term Assessment of Reliability (STAR) evaluated forecasts of peak power demand, planned upgrades to the transmission system, and changes to the generation mix over the next five years.

Consistent with the third-quarter STAR issued last October, this assessment identified reliability violations in New York City and Long Island beginning in the summer of 2026. The violations are driven by generator deactivations, increasing consumer demand, and transmission limitations. The 2025 Q4 STAR also reaffirms that the delayed completion of new offshore wind projects could exacerbate the previously identified New York City and Long Island reliability violations.

The NYISO continues to monitor the status of the planned Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind offshore wind projects, considering the December 22, 2025, orders by the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management (BOEM) to suspend all ongoing activities. The combined capacity of those projects totals 1,740 MW.

The finding of a reliability need initiated a process administered by the NYISO to solicit solutions to bring reliability margins back to acceptable operating levels. The NYISO is currently evaluating the proposed solutions and will issue a Short-Term Reliability Process Report indicating NYISO's selection of a solution or combination of solutions. That process is expected to conclude by April 2026.

NYISO will continue to monitor changes on the bulk electric system through the course of its Comprehensive System Planning Process including additional quarterly STAR reports and the 2026 Reliability Needs Assessment.

About the New York ISO

The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) is a not-for-profit corporation responsible for operating the bulk electricity grid, administering the competitive wholesale electricity markets, conducting comprehensive long-term planning, and advancing the technological infrastructure of the electric system serving the Empire State.

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