PJM releases summer forecast, estimates seasonal demand peaking at 149,000 megawatts

PJM Interconnection, the nation’s largest electric grid operator, recently released its summer forecast for electricity demand.

According to the forecast, summer demand is expected to peak at approximately 149,000 megawatts. A megawatt can power about 800 homes.

The company has performed reliability studies in excess of 157,000 megawatts and has approximately 185,000 megawatts of installed generating capacity available.

Demand during summer 2021 was approximately 149,000 megawatts. The record for power use was during the summer of 2006 at 165,563 megawatts.

“Predicting the demand for electricity helps PJM ensure that consumers have a reliable supply of power today and in the years ahead,” Mike Bryson, PJM senior vice president for operations, said. “Load forecasting is something we do routinely, for both short- and long-term periods, to help ensure an adequate supply of power for reliable service at the most reasonable cost.”

PJM serves 65 million people in 13 states and the District of Columbia.

PJM has worked with transmission and generation owners throughout the spring in preparation for summer to ensure critical maintenance and system improvements were completed.

The company conducts fuel inventories every two weeks to keep ahead of fuel-related supply chain concerns and monitors results for the generation fleet.