ISO-New England’s recent analysis for its forthcoming report on generation retirement concludes that, due to a number of factors, 28 oil- and coal-fired generators in New England (representing 8,300 MW) are at risk of retirement by the end of the decade.

Raab Associates’ 135th New England Electric Restructuring Roundtable on June 14th will focus on understanding ISO’s analysis, and exploring the ramifications for New England of potentially losing over one quarter of its generation capacity in less than a decade. The panel will will also explore in detail what other resource options might be available to fill this potential reliability and resource adequacy gap – more gas-fired generators; on-shore and off-shore wind; hydro power from the North; solar and/or energy efficiency and demand response.

Panelists and their topics:

• Stephen Rourke, VP System Planning, ISO-New England will present ISO’s analysis and conclusions.
• Massachusetts DPU Commissioner David Cash will then provide a state’s perspective on both the challenges and potential solutions.
• Peter Fuller, Director, Market & Regulatory Affairs at NRG Energy will discuss his company’s perspective as the holder of several fossil-fired generators in New England (as well as an increasingly diversified portfolio nationally).
• Steve Molodetz, VP, Business Development, Hydro-Québec-U.S., will discuss the possibilities of importing substantial, primarily hydro-based resources, from Canada.
• Paul Gaynor, CEO, First Wind, will discuss the role that renewables can play in meeting New England’s 2020 energy and capacity needs.
• Herb Healy, Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs, EnerNOC, Inc., will discuss the role that demand-side resources could potentially play.

Registration is not required, but attendees are encouraged to arrive early as the room fills quickly (and no one ever seems to want to go into the overflow room, despite the comfortable chairs there). Information about the Restructuring Roundtable, and presentations from previous sessions, is available here on the Raab Associates web site.