NERC reports US electric sector prepared for pandemic

The bulk electric power industry is "well prepared and taking aggressive steps to confront the threat posed by the current pandemic", according to an update by U.S. electric reliability organization NERC. Based on NERC's survey of registered entities subject to its jurisdiction, pandemic planning is pervasive; most registered entities have reviewed pandemic staffing requirements, have reviewed supply chain needs, and said they would support mutual aid requests. At the same time, NERC reports that utilities have identified risks including shortages of staff and material, as well as regarding their ability to complete major construction projects and maintenance turnarounds, which NERC notes could lead to some constraints during the summer of 2020.

On March 10, NERC issued a "Level 2" alert regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring covered entities to respond by March 20 with information on their readiness and planning. According to a March 27 NERC statement, the responses to the alert showed that the "vast majority of registered entities indicated that they either have a written pandemic response plan or are in the process of developing one in light of the COVID-19 crisis, an unprecedented event for bulk power system operators in North America."

NERC also noted measures including utility responses to an all-points bulletin issued by NERC’s Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center (E-ISAC) on February 5, indicating efforts to address potential supply chain or equipment shortfalls. NERC also noted its weekly situational awareness call with the continent’s Reliability Coordinators, which it says "have generally activated their back-up control centers, isolated key workers and are maintaining a deep cleaning routine."

According to NERC, these factors reinforce the need for "continuous monitoring, planning and coordination." NERC is developing a more comprehensive assessment of potential reliability risks and considerations presented by the pandemic, expected for release in April.