Largest US grid PJM says it likely hit record demand on July 2

PJM Interconnection, the largest U.S. regional transmission organization, reported that electricity demand likely reached a record high of 166,147 MW, surpassing the previous all-time peak of 165,563 MW set in 2006. The surge in demand was driven by an intense heat wave affecting much of the eastern United States, with temperatures reaching 102–104°F in parts of Maryland and Virginia.

To manage the strain on the grid, the U.S. Department of Energy issued two emergency orders under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, authorizing PJM to curtail large energy consumers, including data centers, and temporarily waive pollution limits for power plants. These measures were intended to free up grid capacity for residential and commercial customers and avoid rolling blackouts.

PJM also issued multiple operational alerts, including Maximum Generation, Load Management, and Hot Weather alerts, to ensure the grid remained stable. The grid operator recalled maintenance outages and urged power plant operators to return equipment to service as quickly as possible.

The record demand highlights the growing pressure on the U.S. power grid from extreme weather events and rising electricity consumption, particularly from data centers. A recent analysis noted that data centers have significantly increased electricity demand in PJM, contributing to higher wholesale prices and transmission costs. As the grid faces increasing stress, the need for infrastructure upgrades and demand-side management strategies is becoming more urgent.