PJM Interconnection Issued Maximum Generation Alert For Jan. 27, Low Voltage Alert Thru Jan. 31 And Asked Data Centers To Go To Backup Generation Across Its Entire Footprint To Ensure Delivery Of Enough Electricity

On January 26, the PJM Interconnection issued a Maximum Generation Alert and Load Management Alert for January 27 across its footprint to ensure the reliable delivery of electricity. This alert does not require any action from customers.

Peak demand has the potential to exceed 130,000 MW for seven straight days, a winter streak that PJM has never experienced.

Depending on temperatures, PJM could set a new all-time winter peak load on Tuesday, Jan. 27. The extreme cold is currently expected to continue through Sunday, Feb. 1, so PJM is taking additional precautions with its generation and transmission owners to prepare.

The alert is targeted at transmission/generation owners, who then determine if any maintenance or testing on equipment can be deferred or canceled. By deferring maintenance, the units stay online and continue to produce energy that is needed.

Additionally, this alert provides notice to neighboring systems that electricity exports from PJM may be curtailed on Jan. 27. The alert serves as a procedural step that allows those neighboring regions affected to plan accordingly.

Low Voltage Alert

PJM has issued a Low Voltage Alert across its footprint through Jan. 31. A Low Voltage Alert is an additional precautionary alert that does not require any action from customers.

The alert is issued to heighten awareness, increase planning, analysis and preparation efforts when heavy loads and low voltages are possible in upcoming operating periods, allowing Transmission Owners ample time to take actions to increase voltages resulting in increased transfer capability across the RTO.

Requested Running Data Center Backup Generation

On Monday (Jan. 26), in response to a DOE letter of Jan. 22, 2026, PJM requested an order under section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act authorizing PJM in collaboration with its Transmission Owners to direct the deployment of customer-owned backup generation facilities if needed to avoid or mitigate any load shed event during the current extreme winter weather. 

PJM is working with the DOE to identify data center customers who have volunteered to go onto backup generation if needed in an emergency.

The DOE’s expedited process for grid operators to obtain emergency orders for use of backup generators, issued pursuant to this letter, will be helpful as a last resort to avoid impacts to residential customers if the PJM generation fleet or transmission system were to experience major outages.

These measures are in addition to the steps PJM took on January 25 related to Demand Response and Conservative Operations.  Read more here.

Click Here for the PJM announcement.

Resource Links:

-- PJM Interconnection: US DOE Issues Order To Allow Power Plants To Run Without Regard To Air Quality Or Other Permit Limits Thru Jan. 31  [PaEN]

-- PJM Interconnect Issues Cold Weather Alert For Western Region Jan. 23 Expanding To Entire PJM Area Jan. 24-27; Regional Grid Could Exceed Winter Demand Record on Jan. 27 & 30  [PaEN] 

[Posted: January 26, 2026]  PA Environment Digest