An estimated $699 million in reliability improvements to the region’s power transmission system are on the horizon through 2028, according to the latest update of ISO New England’s Regional System Plan Project List.
Three upgrades were placed into service in the last few months and no new projects were added, according to the ISO’s October 2024 update.
As of October 2024, there are 23 active projects, including 11 projects under construction and 12 planned projects.
There are no projects with a “proposed” status in the October update.
Most of the active projects are in Massachusetts (10) and Maine (7). There are three active projects in New Hampshire, two in Rhode Island, and one in Connecticut. There are no active projects in Vermont.
Since 2002, the ISO’s work in power system planning -- one of its three critical roles -- has facilitated $12.7 billion in transmission investment, with a total of 874 project components placed into service.
In addition to their primary goal of bolstering reliability, "some of the projects have decreased transmission system congestion and prepared the grid for a cleaner future," the grid operator said.
Published three times a year (in March, June, and October), the Regional System Plan Project List describes the status of Pool Transmission Facility projects needed to ensure reliability in New England.
As a part of the regional system planning process, the ISO must continually:
- Reassess the timing and components of existing projects to accommodate forecasted changes in net loads, the retirement of generating resources, and the addition or delay of new power resources
- Study the ability of the New England transmission system to meet federally mandated reliability requirements and adequately serve the region.
The ISO’s role in system planning includes seeking input from its Planning Advisory Committee. The committee’s open, public meetings provide a forum for stakeholders -- including generator owners, transmission owners, government and community representatives, and others -- to offer feedback on the regional system planning process.
The committee’s next meeting is November 20.
ISO-NE noted that regional energy trends can affect transmission needs. "For example, the New England states are national leaders in energy efficiency policies and programs. Energy efficiency savings—when coupled with new generators and other transmission upgrades—may allow the region to defer certain transmission projects deemed necessary to address reliability needs," it said.
"With their continued expansion, solar photovoltaic resources and other forms of distributed generation may also one day be able to alleviate or prevent constraints in regional power system transmission or distribution, and reduce or eliminate the need to install new transmission or distribution facilities," it said.
Additionally, market resource alternatives -- such as new generators or demand response resources -- may in some cases be able to help alleviate transmission needs, it said.
