PJM Interconnection Issues Maximum Generation, Load Management, Low Voltage Alerts For July 1; Received Emergency Order To Put Data Centers On Backup Generators; Forecasts Peak Power Above 2006 Record For July 2

On June 30, the PJM Interconnection issued a Maximum Generation Alert and Load Management Alert for July 1 across its footprint. These alerts do not require any action from customers.

A Maximum Generation 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 to serve electricity demand within the PJM region. 

This alert is also used to notify neighboring systems that electricity exports from PJM may be curtailed, serving as a procedural step that allows those neighboring regions to plan accordingly.

PJM issues this alert at the same time as a Load Management Alert, which gives advance notification that load management action may be declared, including Pre-Emergency and Emergency Demand Response. 

Demand Response programs pay customers in advance who sign up to allow reduction of their electricity use in emergencies.

Backup Generator Order

PJM requested and received approval of an emergency 202c order by the U.S. Department of Energy to direct transmission owners, if required as a last resort prior to voltage reduction or load shed, to curtail data centers and other large loads that have backup generation.

Relief From Environmental Limits

PJM has also submitted and received approval of a DOE 202c emergency order for temporary relief from environmental permit restrictions for generating units, effective July 1 through July 3.

Low Voltage Alert

PJM has also issued a Low Voltage Alert for July 1. The purpose of this procedure is to increase bulk electric system voltage to allow for additional transfer capability across critical transmission interfaces. 

They do not require any actions from customers.

Forecasted Peaks

As of 1 p.m. on June 30, 2026, PJM is expecting to serve the following approximate peak loads through July 5--

July 1 - 162,102 MW

July 2 - 166,304 MW - Above 2006 record peak of 165,563 MW

July 3 - 155,780 MW

July 4 - 148,780 MW

July 5 - 142,602 MW

PJM’s forecast for July 2 could exceed PJM’s existing all-time summer hourly integrated peak of 165,563 MW, which was set in 2006.

These numbers are subject to change and will be updated periodically. PJM publishes load forecasts out to seven days on Data Miner.

Click Here for the PJM announcement.

The PJM Interconnection coordinates the wholesale electricity grid and markets for all or parts of 13 states—Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia—plus the District of Columbia.

Resource Links:

-- PJM Interconnection Holds Next Generation Capacity Auction June 30, Results To Be Announced July 14  [PaEN]

-- PJM Adds New Emergency Procedures To Deal With Strained Grid: A Capacity Advisory; Directive For Data Centers To Use Backup Generators  [PaEN]

-- PJM Interconnection Issues Hot Weather Alert For June 29 In Western Region, June 30 to July 3 For Entire Service Area; 5th Alert This Season  [PaEN]

-- DOE Issues Emergency Orders To PJM Ahead Of Period Of Hot Weather

Related Articles This Week:

-- Senate Committee Moves Bills Authorizing Individual Municipalities To Enact Moratoriums On Consideration Of A.I. Data Center Proposals-- After Voting Down A Statewide 3-Year Moratorium  [PaEN] 

-- PUC Urges Consumers To Explore #WaysToStayCool and #SaveInPA As Region Faces Extreme Heat; PUC Monitoring PJM Electric Grid Operations  [PaEN]  

-- PJM Interconnection Issues Maximum Generation, Load Management, Low Voltage Alerts For July 1; Received Emergency Order To Put Data Centers On Backup Generators; Forecasts Peak Power Above 2006 Record For July 2  [PaEN] 

-- NRDC: PJM Membership Votes On Recommendations To Help Prevent A.I. Data Centers From Overloading The Electric Grid; PJM Board Will Have Final Say  [PaEN]  

-- Energy Efficiency Alliance Releases 15 New Case Studies Showing How Southwest PA Businesses, Organizations Are Saving On Energy Bills Thanks To Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency [No Fuel - No Price Spikes]  [PaEN]

-- PUC Investigation Finds Fatal 2025 Philadelphia Rowhouse Natural Gas Explosion Not Related To Philadelphia Gas Works Facilities, Operations  [PaEN] 

NewsClips:

-- PA Capital-Star: Amid High Heat, Power Demand In PJM Territory Could Set Records -- Fortune Magazine: A.I. Data Centers Are So Hot Their ‘Heat Island’ Effect Is Raising Temperatures Up To 6 Miles Away

-- The Center Square: Individual Municipal A.I. Data Center Moratoriums Get Support In Republican-Run PA Senate

-- WESA - Rachel McDevitt: How To Find A Better Electric Rate In Pennsylvania

-- Utility Dive: PJM Opposes Connection Review Waiver For $2 Billion Gas-Fired Power Plant In Ohio In Fast-Track Interconnection Review 

[Posted: June 30, 2026]  PA Environment Digest