There's no way that's true, the benefits of the grid will ensure it always exists in cities. It guarantees 24/7 power for all citizens, smooths out regional hic

There's no way that's true, the benefits of the grid will ensure it always exists in cities. It guarantees 24/7 power for all citizens, smooths out regional hiccups (i.e. if it's cloudy in one region), and allows better allocation of excess resources (i.e. to smelt aluminium). It might, however, go away for cottages/cabins, or other rural buildings. Many people I know have generators at their cottages because the power is unreliable enough, and given the unreliability, the grid must be pretty expensive to maintain.