Electric Generating Capacity 'Adequate' for Now, NERC Says.(North American Electric Reliability Council)(Brief Article)

Near-term electric generating capacity adequacy is expected to be satisfactory in North America, says Michehl R. Gent, president of the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC).

According to NERC's Reliability Assessment 2000-2009, after several years of decline, projected capacity margins across North America show a marked increase over the next five years, as new merchant electricity generating plants come on line. Longer-term generation adequacy is difficult to assess, due to shifting trends in the way generation is planned, constructed, owned, and operated. If current trends continue, long-term margins also should be adequate.

Merchant plant …