PJM Activates Emergency Grid Measures Amid Warm Weather Risks

PJM Interconnection activated emergency grid measures on Oct. 13 after unusually warm fall weather, planned equipment outages, and transmission constraints created tighter electricity supply conditions across parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia, according to PJM and the U.S. Department of Energy.

The regional grid operator received a DOE emergency order allowing temporary actions from Oct. 13 to 16, including directing certain generating units and backup power resources when needed to maintain reliability.

According to PJM, forecast electricity demand for the affected period reached about 112,447 megawatts on Oct. 13, while the DOE cited demand of approximately 111,500 megawatts or higher as one factor behind the emergency action. PJM said about 62,000 megawatts of generation outages were expected during the period.

PJM issued a Maximum Generation Alert and Load Management Alert before the expected strain. The operator said the alerts were caused by warm weather and planned maintenance and construction outages affecting generation and transmission facilities.

"PJM has issued a Maximum Generation Alert and Load Management Alert for Oct. 13 ahead of expected tight system conditions caused by unusually warm fall weather and planned equipment outages required for maintenance and construction," PJM said in a statement.

The alerts notify generation and transmission owners that maintenance or testing may be delayed if needed to keep equipment available. PJM also recalled or canceled outages where possible, including active generation maintenance outage tickets scheduled for recall effective noon on Oct. 14.

The DOE order, issued by Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, gives PJM temporary authority to dispatch designated generating units and use backup resources in limited circumstances. The order is intended to reduce the risk of power interruptions rather than announce planned blackouts.

PJM coordinates wholesale electricity transmission and markets across Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The operator is currently in its seasonal outage period, when facilities typically undergo maintenance from mid-September through early December.

The DOE action also allows PJM to direct data centers and other large-load customers to switch to backup generation resources if necessary before an Energy Emergency Alert is declared. Additional emergency procedures may be considered depending on system conditions.