Radian’s two-tiered offering provides critical compliance and cybersecurity readiness for clean energy assets generating 20+ megawatts
Radian Generation, a global partner delivering full lifecycle solutions for renewable energy assets, offers two tailored options designed to meet North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) compliance. For clean energy sites generating 20 megawatts (MW) and above, Radian provides a comprehensive, full-service proactive offering and a “Lite” program to help Independent Power Producers (IPPs) meet the May 15 deadline. Both have been developed based on Radian’s many years of experience delivering NERC programs for larger entities and projects. Now, with the fast-approaching registration requirements, the company is aligning its offerings to meet the urgency and scale of this transition.
IPPs of these mid-sized solar, wind, storage and hybrid sites must now incorporate these NERC standards for sites that are under construction as well as fully operational power plants. This presents significant challenges, requiring the immediate development of NERC-specific policies, procedures, and training programs that historically had not been necessary.
“Today, developers are navigating a significant shift, as they will need to comply with NERC standards for their new-build 20+ MW projects. Additionally, IPPs with operational assets — which were never designed for a NERC-regulated environment in the first place — must move quickly to ensure compliance,” said Kellie Macpherson, EVP of Compliance and Security at Radian Generation. “In addition to our strategic, comprehensive offering for organizations that want to align their entire portfolio under a higher standard, we are also committed to meeting clients where they are today with a practical, clearly defined Category 2-focused compliance path through our Lite offering. Both approaches are built on real-world operational experience and are designed to reduce risk, close gaps, and strengthen compliance culture across the organization.”
Full NERC Category 2 Compliance Offering
For organizations seeking a more robust and scalable approach, Radian’s full-service compliance solution extends beyond current Category 2 requirements to include additional Generator Owner (GO) standards, effectively aligning with Category 1 compliance standards.
This approach establishes a higher compliance posture across assets, mitigates regulatory concerns, and ensures consistency. It also positions organizations ahead of anticipated regulatory changes, minimizing future disruption, and allowing IPPs to proactively standardize compliance frameworks across their portfolios with the added comfort of long-term risk mitigation for the investment.
“Lite” NERC Category 2 Compliance Offering
The “Lite” solution is a focused, efficient program built around the currently approved NERC Reliability Standards for Category 2 facilities. This includes full support for training, development, implementation, documentation, and regulatory filing across the 11 currently applicable standards.
This option provides a clear, present-day compliance snapshot and is ideal for organizations seeking to meet current requirements efficiently. As additional standards are approved, the program can be expanded accordingly.
Protecting our Energy Infrastructure from Cyber Threats
As the energy sector prepares for the NERC Category 2 compliance requirements, it is imperative to strengthen cybersecurity standards across distributed generation assets. While the inclusion of cybersecurity measures in NERC requirements marks an important step forward, many of the current standards lack the prescriptive rigor necessary to fully safeguard the U.S. electrical grid against evolving threats.
“The stakes are especially high for Category 2 assets, as these sites play a critical role in supporting local communities, hospitals, and essential services. In some cases, critical infrastructure operates without properly configured firewalls or other foundational safeguards, exposing them to preventable risks,” Macpherson remarked.
Radian is addressing this challenge by bringing its deep cybersecurity expertise to developers and IPPs that build, own and operate Category 2 sites. Building on its established work with Category 1 assets, Radian’s team provides comprehensive, practical solutions that go beyond minimum compliance. This includes implementing robust authentication protocols, hardening network defenses, and ensuring continuous monitoring and response capabilities tailored to the unique needs of distributed energy resources.
Helping to Build a Culture of Compliance
Across the Bulk Electric System, Radian brings extensive experience in developing and implementing NERC compliance programs. Recognizing that no two clean energy sites are alike, the company emphasizes customized program design that accounts for operational nuances.
Its team includes former control room operators, asset managers, and NERC compliance experts, providing practical, real-world insights into day-to-day operations and up-and-coming requirements.
Macpherson concludes, “With regulatory expectations continuing to evolve, Radian Generation remains committed to helping our clients navigate complexity, contain cybersecurity risks, and build sustainable compliance cultures.”
