What record is PJM Interconnection expecting to break, and what is driving this unprecedented demand?

PJM Interconnection LLC expects to break its all-time peak load record of 165.5 gigawatts on Thursday, a record that has stood since 2006; this surge is driven by extreme heat—temperatures broaching 100°F across the East Coast—and heightened cooling demand, compounded by the rapid growth of energy-intensive data centers within its 13-state service area plus Washington, DC.

What emergency measures did PJM and the U.S. Department of Energy take in response to the grid strain?

PJM directed power plant operators to recall all available units and postpone maintenance where possible, then appealed to the U.S. Department of Energy for an emergency declaration; the DOE approved it on Tuesday, authorizing power plants to operate at maximum capacity—including temporarily bypassing certain environmental requirements—and permitting backup generators 'as a last resort,' with both orders expiring before midnight on July 4.

New York, Chicago Grids Strain as Record Heat Wave Expands

Jul 1, 2026

Record heat strains US power grids as PJM anticipates peak load records; natural gas prices surge and the DOE authorizes emergency measures for power plants.

bloomberg

2026-07-01

New York, Chicago Grids Strain as Record Heat Wave Expands

New York, Chicago Grids Strain as Record Heat Wave Expands

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