PJM's winter peak forecast and the 2027 shortfall warning

What is PJM's winter peak forecast and is there a shortfall coming?

PJM Interconnection's January 2026 long-term load forecast puts the 2026/27 winter peak at 142,536 MW, which is 4,155 MW below the prior forecast. PJM also says supplies will fall short of its reserve margin from June 2027 to May 2028. PJM urged data centers to bring their own generation. Households in the region can prepare now.

The Altoona Mirror reports that PJM Interconnection's 2026 long-term load forecast, published January 14, 2026, lowers the 2026/27 winter peak slightly. PJM also warns of a reserve shortfall starting in mid-2027.

What happened

PJM's forecast puts the 2026/27 winter peak at 142,536 MW, which is 4,155 MW below the prior forecast. PJM said electric supplies will fall short of the reserve margin from June 2027 to May 2028, and urged data centers to bring their own generation.

What it means for your home

A tight reserve margin leaves less room when demand spikes. The forecast describes the grid as a whole, not any one home. Households can still plan for outages by keeping their own power and heat ready.

What to do this week

Charge a portable power station and power banks.
Store drinking water for every person in the household.
Set aside blankets and sleeping bags for one warm room.
Keep a battery or hand-crank radio for official alerts.
Write down a plan for devices that need power, and ask your doctor or pharmacist about any medicines that need refrigeration.

Start with how to stay warm without power.

This briefing is general information, not medical, legal or electrical advice. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.