Power

PJM Interconnection implemented additional emergency procedures to sustain grid reliability amid ongoing high-demand conditions. The measures build on recent hot-weather alerts and federal orders allowing curtailment of large loads like data centers. This directly supports stable operations in the largest US power market serving 67 million customers. Read →

PJM reported that July 2 peak load hit 162,700 MW, close to the 165,600 MW 2006 record, but demand-response programs and other curbs likely prevented it from being exceeded amid a heat dome. The largest US grid operator, serving 67 million people, faces surging demand from data centers alongside extreme weather, with capacity-market costs already sharply higher. Conservation actions highlight immediate reliability pressures on PJM from combined heat and load growth. Read →

Energy Secretary Chris Wright signed a Section 202(c) order authorizing PJM to direct large-load customers including data centers (50+ MW) to switch to backup generators as a last resort during the heat wave through July 3 (later extended). A parallel order allows plants to exceed emissions limits if needed. The measures address tens of gigawatts of untapped backup capacity to avert blackouts as demand neared records, underscoring data-center strain on the grid. Read →

PJM entered emergency conditions with loads exceeding 162 GW during the heat wave, issuing alerts and calling all resources online. Locational prices spiked above $2,500/MWh in stressed zones while reserves tightened. The events coincide with ongoing data-center interconnection pressures and prior capacity-auction price records, tightening real-time power markets in the largest US ISO. Read →

PJM forecasts Thursday load breaking the 2006 summer record of 165,563 MW due to extreme heat across the mid-Atlantic. The DOE ordered PJM to maximize generation and approved directing transmission owners to curtail data centers and large loads with backup generation if needed before voltage reduction or load shed. Alerts signal heightened reliability risks from surging demand. Read →

Two DOE Section 202(c) orders effective through July 3 authorize PJM to direct data centers to backup diesel generators and waive power plant emission limits as a heatwave threatens a new demand record of 166,304 MW on July 2. The measures address interconnection queues and data center load growth in Northern Virginia, where facilities already draw significant power from the grid. Read →

PJM, serving 67 million customers, projects an all-time summer peak of 166.3 GW on July 2, exceeding the 2006 record of 165.6 GW. Extreme heat across the East and Midwest drives air-conditioning demand on grids already strained by data centers and EVs. Real-time prices in PJM spiked above $1,600/MWh on Monday evening due to congestion. Read →

The Trump administration declared a power emergency for PJM ahead of record heat, authorizing plants to run at maximum levels and exceed some environmental limits from July 1-3. PJM requested the order citing surging demand and supply risks. The grid serves 67 million people across 13 states. Read →

PJM placed the entire footprint under hot weather alert through July 3 and issued maximum generation and load management alerts for July 1. It received DOE 202(c) approval to direct data centers/large loads onto backup generation as last resort before load shed, plus environmental relief for generators July 1-3. July 2 peak forecast hits 166,304 MW. Read →

PJM filed with the DOE on June 27 requesting authority to direct data centers and large loads onto backup generators during the heatwave to avoid residential outages. Thursday July 2 could set a new all-time peak above 166,000 MW. Data center growth has tightened margins, raising blackout and price spike risks during extreme weather. Read →

PJM Interconnection agreed Wednesday to introduce a new capacity advisory warning when supplies could tighten from data-center load growth even absent extreme weather. The move addresses surging AI demand pushing the 13-state grid toward shortages beyond historical hot/cold alerts. It signals structural supply pressure from hyperscale loads independent of seasonal peaks. Read →

The U.S. Department of Energy announced up to $17.5 billion in conditional loans for utilities and companies to buy parts strengthening the commercial nuclear supply chain. Projects target Westinghouse reactors with partners committing $500 million each. Energy Secretary Chris Wright noted strong interest from data-center hyperscalers as electricity demand soars with AI buildout. Read →

NextEra Energy agreed to acquire Dominion Energy in a $67 billion stock deal, the largest power acquisition ever, to capture demand from northern Virginia data centers. Rising AI electricity needs, not residential growth, drive the strategy. Utilities position for higher corporate profits amid the data-center boom while ratepayers face potential cost impacts. Read →

PJM Interconnection faces surging data-center demand across its 13-state footprint, complicating grid reliability and market rules. Federal regulators will address the split of grid and market responsibilities under the Federal Power Act at a meeting next month. Energy analysts note the challenge of balancing rapid load growth with affordability and reliability for 67 million customers. Read →

The Texas PUC on June 18 approved new ERCOT rules for large-load interconnections, including batch studies, minimum study fees, and measures to exclude speculative projects. ERCOT’s board had endorsed the framework earlier in June. The changes address a massive queue of data-center requests straining the Texas grid. Read →

FERC issued show-cause orders under Section 206 to PJM, MISO, SPP, CAISO, ISO-NE, and NYISO directing them to justify or reform tariffs governing data-center and large-load interconnections. The action aims to accelerate reliable integration while protecting ratepayers and grid reliability. Read →

PJM issued a routine Hot Weather Alert for June 18 in its Mid-Atlantic and Southern regions ahead of expected 90-degree temperatures and high humidity that will drive higher electricity demand. The alert prepares transmission and generation operators but requires no customer action; peak load is forecast at 129,750 MW. Read →

ERCOT’s proposed batch-study process for large-load (mostly data center) interconnection requests goes to the Public Utility Commission of Texas for approval on June 18. The change aims to handle hundreds of gigawatts of speculative queue requests, about 70% data centers, by grouping mature projects and weeding out paper ones to protect grid reliability. Read →

PJM and Talen Energy filed at FERC to extend the reliability-must-run agreement for the 1.3 GW Brandon Shores coal plant and H.A. Wagner through May 2031. The extension is needed because transmission upgrades required for the plant's retirement, including a BGE line now estimated at $1.5 billion, face delays from land acquisition, permitting, and supply chain issues tied to broader PJM load growth from data centers. Maryland ratepayers face added costs as the plants stay online past the state's 2031 emissions reduction deadline. Read →

ERCOT's long-term demand forecast projects Texas electricity demand surging from 90 GW in 2025 to as high as 367 GW by 2032 under a scenario including all proposed data centers, AI facilities, and other large loads. ERCOT itself flags the projection as unrealistic due to insufficient generation and transmission, and has delayed its May 2026 Capacity, Demand and Reserves report pending the Batch Zero large-load study results expected later this summer. Short-term outlooks show low risk of emergencies this summer but highlight ongoing uncertainty from speculative interconnection requests. Read →

Data center electricity demand continues surging in the US and globally, fueled by AI growth and demographic factors. The boom is pressuring grids including ERCOT and PJM, where large-load interconnection requests remain elevated and capacity prices reflect tighter supply-demand balances. Read →

PJM Interconnection moved its planned backstop reliability auction to September from March to procure resources for data center load growth. The board urged states to create rules allocating costs to hyperscalers rather than existing ratepayers, as uncertainty remains on shielding residential customers. The change addresses near-term reliability risks while PJM advances connect-and-manage rules for large loads. Read →

ERCOT board voted to launch Batch Zero, the first batch study evaluating groups of data centers and large loads for grid interconnection instead of sequential individual reviews. The process aims to allocate limited transmission capacity to committed projects with land and financing, weeding out speculative ones amid 438 GW of requests. It requires Public Utility Commission of Texas approval on June 18. Read →

German wholesale electricity prices hit minus €499/MWh on May 1 amid bright sunshine, strong winds and low holiday demand. The episode triggered the market's price floor of minus €500/MWh, highlighting structural oversupply from renewables. European markets must adapt rules and infrastructure to manage frequent negative pricing periods. Read →

New Jersey legislators advanced bills boosting the state's nuclear fleet, battery storage capacity and agrivoltaics projects. The measures aim to expand clean generation to meet surging electricity demand from data centers in the PJM region. This supports grid reliability and capacity needs in a key data center hub. Read →

PJM and ERCOT interconnection queues for data centers and large loads exceed total current US power capacity. Total US data center power demand has surpassed 150 GW. The overload pressures prices higher across markets as supply lags demand. Read →

AI demand is projected to drive 16% to 25% annual growth in global IT power capacity through 2030. This accelerates electricity needs for hyperscale data centers. The forecast highlights structural shifts in power markets from concentrated AI-driven load growth. Read →