On September 18, 2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved Reliability Standard EOP-012-3, marking a significant step forward in cold weather preparedness for the Bulk-Power System. Developed by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), this updated standard responds to lessons learned from catastrophic winter events like Winter Storms Uri and Elliott, which exposed vulnerabilities in generation availability during extreme cold.
What’s New in EOP-012-3?
EOP-012-3 builds on its predecessor (EOP-012-2) with enhanced requirements and clearer guidance for generator owners. Key updates include:
- Refined Generator Cold Weather Constraint Definition: Removes vague language around cost and business practices, replacing it with a more objective framework.
- Stricter Corrective Action Timelines: Generator owners must implement freeze protection measures within 24–48 months, with pre-approval required for any deadline extensions.
- Mandatory Validation of Constraints: All Generator Cold Weather Constraint declarations must be reviewed and approved by Compliance Enforcement Authorities (CEAs).
- New Attachment 1: Provides a detailed list of acceptable constraint scenarios, including limitations on older wind turbines and manufacturer design thresholds.
- Periodic Reviews: Constraints must be reassessed every 36 months to ensure continued validity.
Data Collection & Oversight
To monitor the effectiveness of EOP-012-3, FERC directed NERC to submit biennial reports through 2034. These reports will include:
- Anonymized data on constraint declarations and approvals
- Narrative analysis of reliability impacts and consistency across CEAs
- Evaluation of corrective action timelines and stakeholder notification practices
For questions or to discuss further, reach out to the GDS Energy Reliability & Security Team and let us know how we can help.