FERC OKs part of PJM’s data center plan, rejects the rest
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved PJM Interconnection’s proposal to create a registry for data centers and other customers with loads of at least 50 megawatts. FERC rejected PJM’s proposed interim service for managing large loads during grid emergencies, but said PJM may submit a revised proposal.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved PJM Interconnection’s plan to establish a Large Load Registry for data centers and other customers requiring at least 50 megawatts of electricity. The registry is intended to improve forecasting of load growth, support transmission planning and give authorized agencies better visibility into major new electricity demand.
FERC rejected PJM’s proposed Interim Resource Adequacy Service, including requirements that new large loads provide additional generating capacity or face demand reductions during grid emergencies. The commission said parts of the plan exceeded its authority over retail customers and that PJM had not sufficiently justified treating new large loads differently from existing customers. FERC allowed PJM to address the issue in a future filing. Commissioner David Rosner separately said noncritical data centers should be curtailed before homes, hospitals and schools when necessary to protect grid reliability.