Grid operator PJM selected 51 projects that can come online quickly and provide more than 9,300 megawatts of capacity through the Reliability Resource Initiative.
The PJM region, which includes Delaware, is seeing growing demand for electricity with retirements of mainly coal-fired plants coming faster than replacement by natural gas and renewables.
The projects consist of 39 uprates (upgrades) and 12 new construction proposals. The upgrades apply to existing natural gas, nuclear, coal and onshore wind resources.
Of the new projects, half are gas, five are batteries and one is nuclear. The projects add 2,108 MW of unforced capacity, or the amount of energy a resource can be expected to provide during peak power periods.
Most of the projects, or 90%, are expected to be online by 2030. All are projected to be online by 2031.
The Reliability Resource Initiative (RRI) is a one-time opportunity for shovel-ready resources that have short lead times to construction and operation and can most effectively contribute to reliability, a release.
The projects were chosen from 94 applicants.
PJM originally planned to limit the number of projects in the initiative to 50, but a tie in the weighted scoring system for the last two projects resulted in 51 projects being selected.
Fuel
Uprates (MWE)*
No. of Projects
New Construction (MWE)*
No. of Projects
Combined Total
Battery
0
0
2,275
5
2,275
Coal
14
1
0
0
14
Gas CC
1,613
20
6,143
6
7,756
Gas CT
365
13
0
0
365
Nuclear
496
4
887
1
1,383
Onshore Wind**
0
1
0
0
0
TOTAL (Energy)
2,488
39
9,305
12
11,793
TOTAL (UCAP)
2,108
7,253
9,361
*Megawatts energy (MWE) reported in submitted summer values
**Onshore wind is a ~20 MW increase in Capacity Interconnection Rights (CIR) only.
PJM has come under fire for a backlog and has made changes aimed at getting projects with permits and financing to the front of the line. It has received approval for its plans from federal regulators.
Customers have been hit by higher electric bills as supplies tighten with some governors pinning the blame on PJM.
A trade group representing power suppliers praised the PJM announcement as evidence that market-based solutions are the best path forward.
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