The regional grid operator, MISO, released results from its Planning Resource Auction for the upcoming Planning Year 2026-27. The results show MISO has enough generating capacity to meet reliability and reserve requirements in all four seasons, even as electricity demand grows.
This is the second year MISO has used a Reliability‑Based Demand Curve auction model, which is intended to better reflect capacity value when the system is getting close to minimum reliability levels. More capacity was offered in this year’s auction, about 4% more across the seasons than last year. Overall, the auction cleared above MISO’s reserve margin targets in all seasons, which points to stronger reliability throughout the year.
For Great River Energy, these results were financially positive and support its long‑term resource plan.
Most of the auction value came from the summer season, when capacity prices have remained highest because the system demand is greatest. Fall and winter added some value, and spring prices were very low, which is typical.
“These results show the payoff of long‑term planning and investment in our generation fleet,” said Greg Padden, director of power supply and markets at Great River Energy. “By maintaining a reliable resource mix and registering demand response programs, Great River Energy and its member-owners are supporting regional reliability and returning financial value for our membership.”
MISO said new generation added in 2025 and other supply growth helped keep up with rising demand. MISO also warned that continued coordination and new resources will be needed as electrification, data centers and industrial growth add more load to the system.
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