New England Experienced Historically Low Demand For Grid Electricity In Early May

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
May 14, 2022

Mild temperatures, sunny skies, and typically low Sunday demand for electricity combined on May 1, 2022 to result in the lowest demand for grid electricity on record in New England, ISO New England reported on May 5.

Consumer demand for electricity from the bulk power grid dropped to 7,580 megawatts (MW) during the afternoon hours, the lowest mark observed by system operators since ISO New England began operating the system in 1997.

Sundays typically see lower electricity demand than other days of the week, and afternoon temperatures on May 1 were in the 50s and 60s across New England, lowering overall demand for electricity in the region. Production from behind-the-meter solar resources was estimated at more than 4,000 MW of electricity during this period, further tempering demand on the bulk power grid, ISO New England said.

While May 1 represents a record, it was the continuation of a trend seen across New England as rooftop solar installations have become more popular, it said.

The region has already seen nearly as many so-called “duck curve” days, during which demand from the bulk power system is at its lowest in the afternoon hours and not overnight, in 2022 as in all previous years combined.

These trends are expected to accelerate over the coming years as behind-the-meter solar continues to grow in New England, according to the ISO’s recently-released 10-year solar forecast.