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On May 15, 2026 National Grid filed its annual gas system long-term plan update.

As indicated in this report, several uncertainties will continue to shape gas system planning.

“This Annual Report reflects three overarching findings:

“First, the gas system is currently reliable but operates with limited margin in certain areas. Recent winter operations, including Winter Storm Fern, demonstrated that National Grid’s gas system and supply portfolio were sufficient to serve firm customers when colder-than-normal conditions persisted over roughly two weeks, including two distinct cold snaps. 1 However, these events also highlighted constrained operating margins, particularly in Downstate New York, where limited upstream pipeline capacity increases reliance on higher-cost resources and heightens exposure to market volatility during peak demand periods.

“Second, demand is evolving, but peak-day reliability remains a primary system driver. Peak-day demand remains highly weather-dependent and continues to shape system reliability needs. The Annual Report explains how National Grid has updated its forecasting methodologies in compliance with Commission directives and how those forecasts are used to balance the risks of over- and under-investment.”

“Third, a portfolio-based planning approach is required to manage risk and customer impacts. The Annual Report explains that no single measure—whether infrastructure investment, non-pipeline alternatives (“NPA”), or demand-side programs—can independently ensure reliability and affordability. Instead, National Grid’s planning framework combines firm supply, storage and liquified natural gas (“LNG”) resources, targeted infrastructure investments, NPAs, demand response, and energy efficiency programs to manage uncertainty and protect customers.

Key elements of this annual update include:

• Supply and Infrastructure Planning: This Annual Report summarizes the supply portfolio and ongoing evaluation of firm options to reduce reliance on high-cost, weather-sensitive resources, along with limited on-system upgrades needed to use that supply.
• System Performance and Risk Management: This Annual Report draws on recent winter events to show how supply constraints drive price volatility and how added deliverability could reduce customer exposure during extreme weather.
• NPAs and Demand-Side Programs: This Annual Report updates progress on NPAs, energy efficiency, and demand response, including where they can defer infrastructure and where scale and timing limits require continued core system reliance.
• Customer Impacts, Equity, and Environment: This Annual Report summarizes affordability programs, investments benefiting disadvantaged communities, required environmental reporting, and stakeholder engagement with Brooklyn Community Board No. 1 (“CB1”).”I

“In summary, this Annual Report provides a comprehensive update on National Grid’s gas system planning activities. It demonstrates compliance with the Commission’s directives and outlines a balanced, adaptive planning approach designed to maintain reliability, limit customer cost exposure, and support New York State’s broader energy and climate objectives.”

Note that utilities must file their next long-term plan by October 2, 2028.