A new report from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation says the United States could experience power outages like the one that happened in Spain at the end of April. The problem is that the country is depending more and more on solar and wind power but does not have enough backup sources like gas or nuclear energy.
The report says that over half of North America may not have enough electricity in the next five to ten years. This is because many old power plants that use coal or gas are closing while at the same time people are using more electricity than ever before. This growing demand is due to things like electric cars, data centers and the push to use electricity for heating and other needs.
The country is not adding new energy sources fast enough to replace the old ones. This creates a big risk for power shortages during times when people use a lot of electricity such as hot summer days or freezing winter nights.
To prevent blackouts, experts say the country needs better planning and smart investments in the energy system. They also say the government should support clear rules that help the country move to clean energy in a safe and steady way.
Another part of the solution is improving the electric grid. The grid is the system that carries electricity from where it is made to where it is used. To handle power from solar panels and wind turbines, the grid needs better technology and large batteries to store extra energy when the sun is shining or the wind is blowing.
Working together is key. That means federal and state governments, energy companies and local communities all need to be part of the plan to make sure there is enough electricity for everyone, even as the country moves toward a cleaner future.