VALLEY FORGE, PA — PJM Interconnection is warning that tightening reserve margins and rising electricity demand could require load management measures during periods of extreme summer heat, even as the grid operator projects sufficient generation capacity under normal conditions.
PJM forecast peak summer electricity demand at approximately 156,400 megawatts across its 13-state region and the District of Columbia, while available generation capacity is expected to total about 180,200 megawatts. The operator also has roughly 7,800 megawatts of contracted demand response resources available to reduce electricity use during emergencies.
The outlook comes as the National Weather Service projects hotter-than-normal summer conditions across much of the Mid-Atlantic and southern portions of PJM’s territory, including West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee.
“While we expect to operate reliably this summer, the outlook resembles last year’s and reflects a new reality – continued load growth driven by data centers that is outpacing the addition of new generation,” Michael Bryson, senior vice president of operations at PJM, stated in the announcement. “This results in tightening operating reserve margins and greater risk.”
PJM indicated it could again deploy demand response programs similar to those used during peak periods last summer. The organization called on non-emergency demand response resources six times during the 2025 summer season, including during a June heat wave when electricity demand exceeded 160,000 megawatts on consecutive days.
Those June peaks ranked as the third- and fifth-highest summer demand levels in PJM history. PJM’s all-time summer peak remains the 165,563-megawatt record set in 2006.
The grid operator noted that extreme heat, equipment outages, reduced solar or wind generation, or other severe weather conditions could create additional system stress. PJM’s summer planning scenarios include potential demand reaching as high as 169,100 megawatts under extreme but plausible conditions.
PJM also cautioned that it expects to have less excess electricity available to export to neighboring grid systems during emergencies because of shrinking reserve margins. Historically, PJM has both supplied and received emergency support from adjacent regional grids during periods of high demand.
Demand response programs compensate participating customers for voluntarily reducing electricity usage during grid emergencies in order to maintain reliability and avoid broader disruptions.
PJM stated that grid operators continuously monitor transmission systems, weather conditions and generation performance from control centers operating around the clock to balance electricity supply and demand throughout the region.
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