US Heat Wave Pushes Power Demand to Record Ahead of July 4

A severe heat wave sweeping across the eastern United States has pushed electricity demand on the country’s largest power grid to a likely record, increasing pressure on energy infrastructure ahead of July 4 celebrations. PJM Interconnection, which serves about 67 million people across 13 states and the District of Columbia, said demand on July 2 likely exceeded its previous record of 165.563 gigawatts set in August 2006.

The dangerous heat dome has brought temperatures near or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit to several cities, affecting daily life and public events. More than 197 million people from Kansas to Maine were under extreme heat warnings or advisories on Friday, according to the US Weather Prediction Center. In Washington, the Great American State Fair temporarily suspended activities along the National Mall before planning to resume events later in the evening.

The extreme conditions have also disrupted transport and electricity services. New Jersey Transit suspended some rail services because of heat-related equipment problems, while New York City utility Consolidated Edison temporarily cut power to nearly 10,000 customers in southwest Queens following equipment issues linked to extreme temperatures and heavy electricity demand. The company also urged tens of thousands of customers to reduce energy use.

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Pressure on the power system has increased as homes and businesses rely heavily on air conditioning for relief from the heat. PJM issued several emergency alerts during the week, while the US Department of Energy ordered available generating units, including backup sources, to operate at maximum capacity to help prevent blackouts. The grid is also facing growing demand from the rapid expansion of data centres, particularly in Northern Virginia.

Temperatures in New York City’s Central Park reached 98 degrees Fahrenheit on Friday, a day after the city recorded 100 degrees, its hottest day since 2012. Electricity demand is expected to ease slightly during holiday travel but could rise again as hot and humid weather continues through the weekend. Sustained high demand also increases the risk of failures at power plants and other critical equipment across the grid.

A new demand record would mean PJM is operating at more than 90 per cent of its capacity, even as parts of the region face generation outages. About 9.5 gigawatts of generating capacity were reportedly unavailable in the Mid-Atlantic region, while electricity prices in some parts of the grid surged above $2,500 per megawatt-hour. The latest strain has renewed calls for investment in new generation capacity and greater flexibility across the US power system.

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