PJM Interconnection, the electric grid operator for 13 states including Pennsylvania, set an unofficial record for peak electricity use of 139,746 megawatts on July 17, prompting a call for energy conservation in the region.

The previous record demand was 133,763 MW on July 26, 2005.

PJM serves 51 million people in a region stretching from New Jersey to Illinois and south to Tennessee.

The cost of electricity during these peak times jumped from the usual 5 to 6 cents per kilowatt hour to 60 cents per kilowatt hour as more expensive and smaller electric generation units were brought online to feed electricity demand.

During a Public Utility Commission public hearing on summer electric reliability back on May 24, PJM had projected a peak demand of 133,500 MW for this summer with the potential of 141,500 MW.

PJM has about 164,994 MW of guaranteed generation capacity throughout the region, although not all of that capacity is available to all parts of the PJM region due to transmission line limitations.

This higher than anticipated demand put the PJM reserve margin at about 18 percent, just slightly higher than the 15 percent reserve margin it is required to have.

NewsClips: Every Regional Grid Operator Sets New Demand Record

FERC OKs Incentives for WV-NJ Transmission Line

PPL Customers Set Second Record for Electricity Use

Electric Utilities Report Record Demand

Heat On, Pleas Go Out from Electricity Providers to Conserve

Reliant Energy Doubles Funding for Low-Income Energy Assistance

In Annapolis, Dimming the Lights – MD Copes with Cost Jump

7/21/2006