Minnesota electric grid at ‘high risk’ of power shortages, latest assessment says [Video]

A recently released report says a regionwide electric grid, including Minnesota, is at “high risk” of power shortages over the next decade.

As the need for energy supply grows and traditional plants close amid the state’s planned transition to 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040, Minnesota is among several states at risk of not having enough electricity to meet demand within five years, according to the annual Long-Term Reliability Assessment from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC).

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), the organization responsible for reliable power transmission across Minnesota and all or part of 14 other states and Manitoba, operates the grid in the lone area listed as “high risk” in the 2024 report.

“I think it’s a warning that we need to take seriously, that we need to slow down the shutdown of existing units and make sure that the power grid is reliable well into the future,” reacted Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA) President and CEO Darrick …