Regulators Reviewed Grid Performance During Winter Storms
Federal agencies analyzed grid reliability after winter storms Fern and Gianna caused significant generator outages.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Utilities
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The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation released a joint review of grid performance during Winter Storms Fern and Gianna. Despite peak outages reaching 68,169 megawatts on January 26, the grid avoided manual load shedding.
Why it matters
Agencies attributed the successful avoidance of load shedding to updated cold weather standards and emergency orders that increased available supply. These findings highlight how strategic generator commitment and regulatory intervention can maintain grid stability during extreme demand.
Gas-fired plants generated 84 gigawatts above typical output during the peak hour, while coal plants added 40 gigawatts. PJM Interconnection utilized 39 generating units to supply 271,150 megawatt-hours of electricity under a federal emergency order.
The players
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
This federal agency oversees the transmission and wholesale sale of electricity and natural gas in the United States.
North American Electric Reliability Corporation
This non-profit international regulatory authority works to assure the effective and efficient reduction of risk to the reliability of the grid.
PJM Interconnection
This regional transmission organization coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This federal scientific and regulatory agency within the Department of Commerce monitors oceanic and atmospheric conditions.
The details
Emergency authority allowed operators to secure natural gas blocks during the weekend, while emergency orders from the Secretary of Energy expanded supply availability. Lessons from previous storm events and improved generator commitment protocols allowed the network to maintain capacity throughout the peak demand period.
Timeline
January 26: Grid outages reached a peak of 68,169 megawatts.
January 2025: Arctic events resulted in 71,022 megawatts of total generator outages.
October 8, 2026: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a seasonal El Niño forecast.
November 2026: The North American Electric Reliability Corporation is expected to release a winter reliability assessment.
January to March 2027: El Niño conditions are likely to persist across the country.
Market Landscape
This review operates under the regulatory framework of the Federal Power Act to ensure reliable energy delivery through persistent oversight. The findings signal a shift toward tighter cold weather standards to mitigate the structural risks inherent in the national grid's current capacity limits.
Consumers in the PJM region may see higher energy bills as the U.S. Energy Information Administration projects a 41 percent increase in wholesale electricity prices. While the grid avoided outages, the projected rise in wholesale costs could influence household monthly utility expenditures throughout 2026.
The takeaway
Grid operators have successfully utilized emergency authorizations to maintain service during recent winter peaks. Homeowners should plan for potential price volatility as wholesale electricity costs are projected to rise in the coming year.
What happens next
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation is scheduled to release its formal winter reliability assessment in November 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the infrastructure standards regulating energy delivery in the United States Utilities section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Environment+Energy Leader.
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