New York City may struggle to keep the lights on as early as next summer with longer and more frequent power outages, according to reports released this week by the state’s grid operators.

Rising demand, weak transmission and aging power plants are straining the electric grid in New York City and Long Island, according to two reports unveiled Tuesday by the New York Independent System Operator, a not-for-profit corporation that ensures that the state has a reliable and affordable power supply that meets demand. The reports offer outlooks for five and 10 years out.

According to the five-year outlook, beginning next summer, New York City will have a power deficiency equivalent to the energy needed to power 410,000 to 650,000 homes, and that number could double by 2050. Surrounding areas su

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