NERC Winter Reliability Assessment: Key Takeaways for Basin Electric

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) released its 2025-2026 Winter Reliability Assessment, offering a key resource for utility leaders preparing for the winter season.

According to the assessment, most regions are expected to have adequate resources under normal winter conditions. However, NERC warns that prolonged, widespread cold snaps remain a significant threat to the reliability of the bulk power system.

“The energy industry is changing rapidly,” Alycia Kramer, Basin Electric’s director of market analysis & strategy, said. “While this winter’s outlook is stable under normal conditions, extreme weather, growing demand, and changing resource mixes can introduce additional operational complexity. Reliable performance of dispatchable resources as well as secure fuel supply are critical during periods of extreme cold.”

Kramer noted increasing emphasis on rising winter peak demand, more complex daily load shapes, and the growing impact of large commercial and industrial loads. The report specifically highlights the influence of expanding data center development and other large power users, which introduce new reliability considerations across the industry.

To manage these emerging risks, Basin Electric developed a Large Load Commercial Program to responsibly integrate large new customers while maintaining reliability and affordability for members.

“Reliability is a high priority for Basin Electric regardless of how our region is categorized in a given year’s report,” Kramer said. “Whether an area is labeled as low risk or elevated risk, Basin Electric approaches every day with a focus on ensuring our members have reliable service.”