Recent large load disturbances on the bulk power system have shown NERC and utilities how they must respond to protect reliability. On September 9, 2026 NERC revealed its tentative plans for follow-on large load standards development. Based on recent grid activities, NERC has focused on the appropriate regulating of these loads. This will be a top priority and will be investing heavily in activities across 2026-2027 to get it right.
Recent Events Driving NERC Efforts
NERC’s work plan is being driven by a series of recent computational load system disturbance events summarized below:
In our previous regulatory update, we outlined the background behind NERC’s foundational standards for large computational loads such as Data Centers. Beyond those standards, NERC is required to provide FERC with an outline of its plans for standards development by March 31, 2027. The September 9 session offered the first real preview of what that outline will contain.
In the near term (Q1–Q3 2027), NERC plans to focus particular attention on developing Standards Authorization Requests (SAR) in the following areas:
- Co-location of generation with data centers
- Modeling Evaluation
- Enhanced Protection Disturbance Performance and Stability Requirements
- Real-time Communications Training
- Balancing and Operations
Other technical areas planned for Q4 of 2027 include:
- Event Reporting
- Balancing Operations – Protection and Load Shedding
With this roadmap, NERC is prioritizing ride-through performance and simulation techniques for large load operational behavior, enabling modeling of large load behaviors in dynamics and stability studies.
The goal of NERC’s work is to address the reliability risk posed by computational loads by defining minimum performance requirements to ensure the stability of the BPS in the following areas:
- Voltage and frequency ride-through / UVLS & UFLS program impacts
- Rate-of-change-of-frequency (RoCoF) withstand
- Post-fault active power recovery (PFAPR)
For utilities and large-load stakeholders, these current and future developments open an important planning window. Now is the time to evaluate how the proposed modeling, ISO/RTO operational responsibilities, and NERC compliance requirements could affect upcoming transmission projects and your company’s existing planning and interconnection processes.
Next Steps: TRC Can Help
TRC has the regulatory expertise to help your company implement new obligations under the proposed family of large load standards. We can help your team navigate the evolving landscape, from system studies and project design to NERC compliance support. Our power system planning approach integrates regulatory requirements, industry standards, and operational goals with practical, cost-effective solutions. Our experience with public and private sector utility clients is a testament to our understanding of your NERC compliance obligations as it relates to aspects of your business. We apply advanced technology solutions to help clients adapt to a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape with confidence.
Resources
Large Loads Action Plan
Large Loads Action Plan 2026
FERC Order Directing NERC to file Registration Process Changes and Standards for Large Loads by December 31, 2026
Published July 16, 2026
NERC’s Steps Toward Regulating Large Loads
NERC’s Steps Toward Regulating Large Loads Published September 4, 2026
About TRC’s NERC Compliance Practice
The regulatory foundation for large load interconnection is being redefined and rebuilt quickly. Utilities must readily track NERC registration and standards developments as they unfold and assess how these regulatory changes impact their interconnection processes, system planning and compliance programs, particularly as mandatory NERC standards that address reliability risks related to large computational loads come into view.
TRC practitioners help you stay ahead of regulatory changes by designing programs aligned with financial, technical, scheduling, and compliance goals. Our power system experts help you stay ahead of changing regulatory expectations with accurate planning and design. TRC helps you adopt programs that address your technical and scheduling goals and ensures compliance with changing NERC guidelines, as well as industry “best practices” and latest technology developments.
This regulatory update is a part of TRC’s commitment to keeping utility clients informed about developments and providing peace of mind.
