Are energy blackouts the future? Natural gas shortages could affect power plants

MEDWAY -- As demand for electricity in the region peaks, the West Medway Generating Station comes to life. Its five generators primarily run on natural gas. But that’s a fuel which could be in lower supply this winter than last. In fact, some experts are suggesting it’s even possible, with a prolonged cold snap, to see energy blackouts in the Northeast during the next few months.

A spokesperson for Constellation Energy, which operates the West Medway plant, said that winter poses a challenge for gas-run power plants because so much of the fuel is shifted towards directly heating homes and businesses. But he did not foresee blackouts as an issue -- pointing out that West Medway has dual-fuel generators  -- meaning they can run, for a limited number of days, on low-sulfur oil if natural gas supplies run low.

The independent agency charged with overseeing energy needs in the area hasn’t released its December forecast yet. But ISO New England told Boston 25 News that the region should have ‘sufficient fuel supplies under mild and moderate winter conditions.” In New England, that means ‘quite cold conditions,’ the ISO said.

But how cold it gets isn’t the only variable that will determine where energy prices go this winter.

ISO said the region depends on Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) in winter -- and that the supply of that fuel could be affected by global events.

The looming price of energy has become an issue in the Governor’s race.

As Attorney General, Democrat Maura Healey worked to keep two natural gas pipelines out of Massachusetts. Her campaign said that was to prevent taxpayers from having to foot the bill for those pipelines. Healey also said the state should be shifting away from natural gas at this point and towards renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power.

Healey’s opponent, Republican Geoff Diehl, agreed renewable energy sources are important for the future -- but that residents need help now.

“We already know that our grid in Massachusetts can’t handle the electricity that they’re talking about to power everything,” Diehl said. “From all vehicles, to businesses and homes that’s what they want. Fossil-fuel free by 2030.”

Diehl said he is concerned blackouts could be in our future if renewable sources can’t provide enough energy to satisfy demand.  “We have cold weather seasons, we have dark seasons,” he said. “We can’t produce enough energy from wind and solar to replace all the energy she’s blocking.”

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