DIRECTOR'S CORNER

By Dustin Buckingham, District 7, CCD, BLC, DGC

People often think of energy shortages as a period when there is not enough power available to fully meet the demands of all users on the system. As a cooperative Board member, I think of an energy shortage as a situation where there is no longer enough available power to supply all the users who want to be on the system. By that definition, there is currently an energy shortage. This type of shortage can occur when either insufficient power is generated or the power cannot be delivered to the intended location. This article will focus on our current power delivery problem.

Increasing Electricity Demand

Today, future large users are being asked to wait seven or more years while the infrastructure is built or upgraded to serve them. Some of these new loads cannot wait and are installing their own generation at their facilities. So far, natural gas is the primary energy source for new electric generation. In central Ohio, much of the significant demand comes from data centers. One data center could use as much power as all of The Energy Cooperative’s current residential members combined.

Power Delivery

Cooperatives in the state of Ohio generate their own power, but AEP, among other transmission providers, move that generated power to the twenty five Ohio distribution cooperatives. Transmission providers have been robustly upgrading their segment of the electrical system for many years.

Last year, I watched as new towers and wires were installed behind my house as AEP upgraded a section of the transmission line that had been there since before I was born.

Their investment is needed because demand is increasing at a faster rate than it has in decades. Despite the upgrades, transmission providers are still struggling to keep up with the increasing number of new users who want to join the system.

DISTRIBUTION & TRANSMISSION

As a distribution cooperative, we strive to deliver reliable and affordable power to all current and future members. We have consistently risen to the challenge and met the needs of our members. The Energy Cooperative knows that the transmission component of your bill has been and will continue to be the fastest-growing portion. Although The Energy Cooperative does not have a lot of control over this, we want our members to know that they are benefiting from the transmission upgrades in terms of increased reliability. Over the last decade, power outages caused by the transmission system have dropped substantially.

While we currently face challenges related to power delivery and an ever-increasing electricity demand, it is important to recognize the efforts being made to enhance our infrastructure. The ongoing upgrades and investments in transmission lines will ultimately lead to a more reliable power supply for all our members. As we navigate these changes, our commitment to providing affordable and dependable energy remains steadfast.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together towards a brighter, more sustainable future.