The multi-state power grid operator that includes much of eastern and northern Kentucky says this winter storm will cause high demand for electricity.
PJM Interconnection, which includes part or all of 13 states and the District of Columbia, forecasts record electricity demand this week and peaking on Tuesday.
PJM serves 67 million people, including electricity customers in Kentucky Power, East Kentucky Power Cooperative, and Duke Energy Kentucky service territory.
PJM set a record for electricity demand on Jan. 22, 2025. The grid operator forecasts similar demand in the coming week.
It has asked power plant operators to postpone scheduled maintenance to make sure generation is available to meet the demand.
A winter storm in December 2022 strained PJM, as well as the Tennessee Valley Authority. The biggest failures were in fossil fuel generation, mostly natural gas, but also some coal.6.1
East Kentucky Power experienced gas generation outages in the 2022 storm. It incurred $19.5 million in performance penalties as a result of the generation not being available. According to company reports, it settled with PJM for $6.1 million.
Nick Comer, a spokesman, said company personnel are on high alert to deal with any issues that arise. The company has deferred non-critical maintenance and testing, he said.
Equipment at power plants has been weatherized, including insulation and enclosures. Its natural gas plants can run on fuel oil as a backup. The Bluegrass station can run on backup fuel for 48 hours, he said.
Other utilities in the region have resources ready in case of weather-related power outages.
