NEWS: New York might need up to 105 GW of new resources over the next two decades.

The outlook: Climate policy will dictate the near future of New York’s grid, according to NY-ISO. To meet strict zero-emissions targets under “higher demand conditions,” for example, the Empire State would need to add roughly 105 GW of generation by 2044. But under “less stringent decarbonization policies,” that figure falls to 30-60 GW, per the grid operator’s recent report. 

The reality check: Even the moderate scenario would be tough to pull off. NY has added less than 15 GW of new resources over the past 25 years. 

The gameplan: If ambitious zero-emissions rules arrive in the coming decades, NY-ISO sees nuclear as a prime source of “high firm capacity value.” And if they don’t? The grid operator would consider replacing aging fossil fuel plants with new, more efficient units (which it claims can curtail emissions). This scenario could prove more likely, given New York’s recent delay of its emissions reduction goals.