MA Ranks Among Least Reliable Power Grids Nationwide: Report

MASSACHUSETTS — A recent study found that Massachusetts has one of the least reliable power grids in the country. The state ranks No. 42 nationwide and as the least reliable in the Northeast, according to Generator Decision.

The study compiled reliability data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The rankings are based on the System Average Interruption Duration Index, which measures the average amount of minutes of power outages per customer annually.

Massachusetts had 519 minutes of power outage per customer each year. The average customer had 1.22 power outages in a year for a duration of 426 minutes.

Louisiana ranked as the least reliable power grid in the country with 4,811 minutes of power outage per customer each year. Rounding out the bottom five were Oregon, Texas, Mississippi, and West Virginia.

The study found the most reliable power grid is Delaware's, with the average customer only experiencing power outages for 438 minutes a year. Florida, North Dakota, Nevada, and South Dakota are the rest of the top five most reliable power grids.

The numbers used in the study are from 2021. The numbers "include big events like storms or hurricanes since this gives a better view of life in each state," Generator Decision noted.

Check out the full list at Generator Decision.

Eversource and National Grid, two of Massachusetts' largest utilities, recently said they will be raising electricity supply rates this winter. The rate increases are not anticipated to be as high as least year's price hikes.

See related: National Grid Raising MA Electricity Rates, Eversource To Follow

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