Section 1600 Reporting

By Stefano Schnitger, Senior NERC Reliability Specialist

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Section 1600 reporting framework authorizes targeted data requests from registered entities to support reliability oversight under Section 215 of the Federal Power Act. This framework ensures NERC and Regional Entities have accurate, timely data for reliability assessments and risk mitigation strategies, and enables proactive risk management by providing insights into operational trends and vulnerabilities. For example, data collected through Section 1600 requests has been instrumental in identifying systemic issues such as recurring generator outages during extreme weather events and misoperation trends in protection systems. These insights inform the development of new reliability standards and guide industry best practices. Furthermore, Section 1600 reporting plays a critical role in supporting NERC’s annual reliability assessments and long-term planning studies, which are essential for maintaining the resilience of the Bulk Electric System. Compliance is mandatory, and failure to respond can result in enforcement action by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Key Reporting Programs and Deadlines

Generation Availability Data System (GADS):
The electric utility industry initiated GADS in 1982 to expand data collection activities that began in 1963. GADS collects detailed operational data on generating units, including forced outages and maintenance outages. Recent updates emphasize renewable integration and detailed performance metrics. GADS data supports reliability assessments, outage trend analysis, equipment performance benchmarking, resource adequacy studies, and informs planning for renewable integration. Reporting is mandatory for conventional units ≥20 MW, wind plants ≥75 MW, and solar plants ≥20 MW. Entities that are registered only as Category 2 Generator Owners (GOs) are not required to report facilities to GADS until their registration becomes effective in May 2026 or later.

Deadlines for quarterly submissions are listed in the table below. When a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, reporting will be extended through the following business day.

Misoperation Information Data Analysis System (MIDAS):

MIDAS focuses on protection system operations and misoperations, which are key indicators of system reliability. The reported data helps identify systemic issues in relay settings, coordination, and equipment failures, enabling targeted mitigation strategies to reduce misoperation rates. Transmission Owners, Generator Owners, and Distribution Providers must report quarterly within 60 days of each quarter’s end.

Deadlines for quarterly submissions are listed in the table below. When a deadline falls on a weekend or a holiday, reporting will be extended through the following business day.

Geomagnetic Disturbance Data (GMD):

GMD reporting addresses risks from solar storms that can induce geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) in transmission systems. GMD events are caused by the ejection of charged material from the sun and the interaction of this material with space around the Earth (atmosphere and magnetosphere). The resulting disturbances in Earth’s magnetic field have the potential to disrupt operations or cause damage to critical infrastructure, including power systems. Extremely strong GMD events, though rare, can induce strong quasi-DC currents in the electric power grid that could affect system voltages, relay and protection system performance, and the operation and health of some large power transformers. Entities must report data for significant GMD events by June 30. Annual confirmations must be submitted by January 15 if no equipment or event data exists. Data includes GIC measurements and magnetometer readings during significant GMD events (Kp ≥ 7).

Cold Weather Generator Data:
Following severe winter events, NERC requires Generator Owners to report winterization status and cold-weather operational capabilities. This initiative supports the implementation of Reliability Standard EOP-012-3 and aims to prevent outages during severe cold events. Reports are to include details on freeze protection measures, fuel assurance, and operational limitations. Initial submissions were due by May 15, 2025, with updates due by June 15, 2025. The Cold Weather Data Request submissions were processed through a series of automated and manual processes to validate the submissions and notify submitters of validation errors. As NERC expects to continue the use of the Section 1600 Cold Weather Data Request to support the annual filing, beginning with the 2026 reporting period, NERC anticipates that GOs will be able to use a more user-friendly and automated process through NERC’s ERO Portal.

Demand Response Availability Data System (DADS):
Demand Response is one of many resources needed to satisfy the increasing demand for electricity in North America. Capacity and ancillary services provided by Demand Response help ensure resource adequacy while providing operators with additional flexibility in maintaining operating reliability. The goal of the DADS is to collect Demand Response enrollment and event information to measure its actual performance, including its contribution to improved reliability. Historically, DADS reporting focused on reliability-driven programs exceeding 10 MW, with semi-annual submissions completed through the webDADS platform. However, effective on October 1, 2023, the webDADS application was no longer available through the OATI portal, and reporting has been temporarily suspended. Although webDADS reporting is temporarily suspended, entities must maintain demand response enrollment and event data until a new platform is implemented.

Section 1600 reporting is integral to NERC’s reliability mission. By enforcing these structured data collection processes, NERC ensures that reliability assessments, performance analyses, standards development, and risk mitigation strategies are grounded in accurate, comprehensive information. It enables proactive identification of vulnerabilities and supports industry-wide learning and continuous improvement. These programs collectively enhance grid resilience against operational risks, extreme weather, and emerging threats such as geomagnetic disturbances and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Ultimately, Section 1600 serves as a cornerstone of NERC’s reliability mission. Safeguarding the Bulk Electric System for over 400 million people across North America.