Largest US grid operator PJM begins annual review of proposed large load adjustments

Sept 30 (Reuters) - PJM Interconnection, the largest US grid operator, said Tuesday it has begun its annual review of proposed Large-Load adjustments to its 2027 Long-Term Load Forecast, using new guidelines to better gauge how likely projects are to materialize.

• The review is primarily being driven by an increase in demand for electricity across all PJM regions by data centers and other large electricity users, the company said in the note.

• About 12 utilities including Dominion Energy, NOVEC, FirstEnergy, and Duke presented their proposals to PJM'S Load Analysis Subcommittee on Tuesday that primarily covered data centers but could also include other high-use electricity customers, PJM said.

• The grid operator will evaluate those submissions alongside other information about expected demand growth.

• PJM said it had also retained an independent consultant, Charles River Associates, to assess data center demand trends and the factors that could affect further growth. The associates will present its findings in October.

• In November, PJM said, it will share how it is incorporating all of this information into a final load adjustment for the 2027 long-term load forecast, which will be published in January.