Grid reliability risks in the US are increasing as electricity demand growth outpaces new generation and transmission development, according to NERC’s (North American Electric Reliability Corporation) latest assessments.

In its latest long‑term reliability findings, NERC projects a sharp acceleration in peak electricity demand over the next decade, driven primarily by data centers, artificial intelligence workloads, electrification, and large industrial load additions. Summer and winter peak demand are both expected to grow at the fastest rates observed since NERC began tracking reliability metrics in the mid‑1990s. Several regions—including ERCOT, PJM, and MISO—are identified as facing elevated or high reliability risk later this decade if resource additions do not keep pace with load growth.

While overall system reliability remains adequate in the near term, NERC notes that delays in generation interconnections, transmission development, and equipment supply chains could increase exposure to stress during periods of extreme weather or peak demand.

Read more: NERC 2026 Long-Term Reliability Assessment