The Regional Transmission Organization, PJM expects higher than normal winter demand for electricity due to extremely cold weather throughout the region, however, today’s peak is not expected to break the winter record. Currently, PJM expects to have adequate power supplies to meet the power needs of consumers.
A cold weather alert remains in effect for the entire PJM footprint today except for the Dominion Zone in Virginia and North Carolina. Today’s expected peak is 125,000 megawatts. The PJM winter peak was 136,675 MW.
PJM continues to work with its members in anticipation of temperatures forecasted to be in the single digits across the region next week, beginning in some areas late Sunday into Monday and continuing until at least Wednesday. The western portion of PJM–including Chicago, Ohio and western Pennsylvania—are expecting sub-zero temperatures.
Cold weather alerts have been declared for Monday and Tuesday next week for the entire RTO except for Mid-Atlantic and Dominion zones on Monday.
Higher demand for electricity may result in a peak next Tuesday of more than 134,000 MW.
A cold weather alert prepares personnel and facilities for expected extreme cold weather conditions, when actual temperatures fall near or below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. PJM communicates with generator owners and tells them to be prepared to call in additional staff to get all generating units running for the morning load pickup. They must take extra care to maintain the equipment so that it doesn’t freeze in the cold weather.
PJM Interconnection is a regional transmission organization (RTO) that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia