The PJM summer outlook highlighted sufficient supply for expected demand, cautioned challenges in extreme planning scenarios.
PJM Interconnection’s 2025 summer outlook assures that the power supply will be sufficient to meet expected demand across its service territory, which includes Maryland. The anticipated peak demand is about 154,000 MW, with more than enough generation capacity available, offering confidence in system reliability under normal summer conditions.
However, PJM notes increasing risks tied to extreme weather and rapid changes in power usage. High temperatures, especially under climate-related stress, could push demand to historic levels, prompting the need for emergency tools like demand response to maintain balance. The National Weather Service predicts hotter-than-normal summer conditions, especially in the Atlantic seaboard states. PJM’s record summer peak load was set at 165,563 MW in 2006. Last year, PJM’s summer peak was about 152,700 MW, and 147,000 MW in 2023.
According to PJM,
This season also marks the first time in PJM’s annual assessment, however, that available generation capacity may fall short of required reserves in an extreme planning scenario that would result in an all-time PJM peak load of more than 166,000 MW.
Under such circumstances, PJM would call on contracted demand response programs to meet its required reserve needs. Demand response programs pay customers who have opted in to reduce their electricity use in times of system emergencies.
For Maryland counties, this underscores the importance of supporting climate and energy resilience. Encouraging energy conservation, investing in grid modernization, and preparing for emergency energy coordination can help manage localized stress and ensure continued reliability during heat waves.
