NEWS: Pennsylvania officials are sounding the alarm on serious PJM outage risks. 🚨

The problem: PJM’s power supply isn’t keeping up with rapid load growth from data centers, according to new analysis from the PA PUC. Between 2029 and 2030, the grid operator is projected to add over 200 TWh of data center load.

The consequences: PJM aims to limit outage risks to around once per decade. But in a business-as-usual scenario, PJM’s risk could reach nearly 6x that amount by 2030. In a worst-case scenario (high demand and low supply), the grid could face blackouts 13 days a year.

But wait: Potential solutions are already in the works, like Gov. Josh Shapiro’s executive order directing data centers to BYO power and PJM’s interconnection queue reform. “We need policymakers, regulators, utilities, generators, consumer advocates and other stakeholders working together on a comprehensive approach,” the PUC wrote.