The PJM Board of Managers has outlined a series of actions to be taken by PJM and its stakeholders in 2026 to address the multiple challenges of integrating new data centers and other large load customers onto the grid while preserving electricity system reliability and affordability for the 67 million people PJM serves.

The Board’s course of action will address the need for new power generation that can come online quickly and is coupled with options for new large load customers whose electricity demand can be curtailed in times of system need. Both of these goals will also help address the supply-and-demand imbalance that has the potential to threaten grid reliability and is currently driving up wholesale costs that can impact consumer bills. The Board proposes:

  • Significant load forecasting improvements and an increased role for states
  • Avenues for new large loads to bring their own new generation or enter into a connect and manage framework, subject to earlier curtailment
  • Creation of an accelerated interconnection track for state-sponsored generation projects
  • Immediate initiation of a backstop generation procurement process to address short-term reliability needs
  • A review of PJM markets to assess how they can best work in combination to support investment