The US Department of Energy (DOE) has issued an emergency order to prevent power outages in the US. The order requires PJM Interconnection to operate older power plants past their planned retirement date due to concerns about resource adequacy and growing energy demand.
According to Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, maintaining reliable and affordable power is a top priority, especially during peak summer months when electricity demand surges. The emergency order aims to prevent price increases and keep homes and businesses powered while also saving consumers money.
The DOE’s order requires PJM to coordinate with Constellation Energy to run older units at the Eddystone Generating Station when necessary past their planned retirement date of May 31, 2025. This move is meant to address resource adequacy concerns triggered by the upcoming retirements of units and sustained increased energy demand.
PJM had previously warned about growing resource adequacy concerns due to load growth, dispatchable resources’ retirement, and other factors. The US DOE’s emergency order aims to mitigate these risks and ensure reliable power supply during a critical period.
Source: https://www.energy.gov/articles/us-department-energy-issues-202c-emergency-order-safeguard-electric-grid-reliability-pjm