Why Keeping The Lights On Is Getting Harder

The North American grid remains one of the most reliable in the world—but is that changing? As electricity demand surges from AI data centers, electrification, and new manufacturing, utilities are racing to keep pace while balancing an increasingly complex mix of resources. So how reliable is the grid today? Where are the biggest risks emerging? And what needs to happen to keep the lights on over the next decade? In this episode of Power Perspectives, Kinsey Grant Baker sits down with John Moura, Director of Reliability Assessment and System Analysis at NERC, to unpack the organization's latest long-term reliability assessment. They discuss why some regions face greater reliability risks than others, how the rapid growth of wind, solar, batteries, and data centers is reshaping grid planning, and why data centers may actually strengthen reliability if integrated thoughtfully. Moura also explains why traditional planning metrics are becoming outdated—and what utilities, regulators, and policymakers should do now to build a more reliable grid for the future. Whether you're planning for the next wave of load growth or navigating the evolving generation mix, this conversation offers a timely look at the challenges—and opportunities—ahead for North America's power system.