PRINCETON, N.J., Oct. 23 (UPI) -- The managers of the North American power grid say electricity demand will be met over the next 10 years with new generation sources and improved efficiency.
The North American Reliability Corporation said in a report released Wednesday in New Jersey that a combination of improved energy efficiency and so-called demand response programs that curtail power consumption on hot days would reduce North America's total power demand 3.3 percent by 2016.
In addition, wind-power capacity could increase by as much as 750 percent, if the number of projects on the drawing board are actually built, with strong growth in the western United States and Canada, plus Texas and the U.S. Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.
NERC cautioned that progress depends in large part on new transmission lines keeping pace with new power generation. The agency said there was a need for less red tape in the approval process for transmission projects.
"We need more transmission resources to maintain reliability and achieve environmental goals," said NERC President and CEO Rick Sergel. "Transmission lines are the critical link between new generation and customers, yet we continue to see transmission development lag behind generation additions."
