Eastern grid operator PJM Interconnection has cut its estimates of escalating power demand — reflecting a closer analysis of what artificial intelligence data center projects are more and less likely to need electricity.
The grid operator in 13 states from Chicago to the mid-Atlantic coast issued a 2026 long-term load forecast Wednesday that projects an annualized growth rate for summer peak demand to average 3.6 percent a year over the next 10 years. That is a step change increase over the 2021 long-term forecast, which projected just a 0.3 percent annual growth rate for the decade.
Peak summer demand is expected to grow by about 66,000 megawatts to a of total 222,000 MW in 2036.
The updated forecast for 2026 summer peak demand shaved about 2,500 MW off of projections made last year, a 1.6 percent reduction. The forecast for the summer of 2028 was reduced 2.6 percent, or about 4,400 MW.
