PJM Warns of Potential Power Shortages Amid Summer Heat

PJM Interconnection, the largest US power grid serving 20% of Americans, warns that extreme heat this summer could lead to power supply shortages for the first time, especially if demand reaches 166 GW—surpassing the 2006 record of 165.6 GW.

Though typical peak demand is forecasted at 154.1 GW, PJM expects a hotter-than-normal summer, particularly in Eastern states. The grid has an additional 7.9 GW of backup from demand-response programs, which reduce consumption during emergencies.

The warning highlights growing concerns about the grid’s supply-demand imbalance, driven by the retirement of power plants and slow development of new capacity amid rising electricity needs.