Indicators 2025: Strategies, solutions for managing possible electricity shortage

Indicators 2025: The Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland (PJM), which coordinates the movement of electricity throughout its region, reports that there will be significant growth in electricity demand over the next 20 years. Summer electricity use is expected to triple, and winter demand is also expected to grow.

PJM estimates that the current generating capacity will not meet this increased growth, and projects an electricity shortage as early as 2026-2027.

“Although Pennsylvania’s electricity generating capacity has generally increased over the years, numerous power plants across the Commonwealth have retired since 2002,” Avery-Stoss said. “Dozens of power plant projects are planned across the Commonwealth over the next decade, but there is no guarantee how many will be built.”

Pennsylvania is committed to expanding renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. Avery-Stoss said the state hosts numerous incentives and policies promoting renewable energy adoption.

With the investments supported by the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Pennsylvania may gain significant benefits as more entities from the public and private sectors take advantage of the various programs and innovative strategies that enhance energy production.

Avery-Stoss said renewable generation has potential as a resource, but it cannot be treated interchangeably with baseload generation. For example, she said solar projects have limited benefits on cloudy winter days, and wind power can be intermittent.

“Any solution to an energy shortage needs to look at a variety of energy sources to meet future demand,” stated Avery-Stoss.

Other potential energy sources include small nuclear or modular nuclear plants, but Avery-Stoss said decades are needed to move from concept to implementation. She said natural gas is readily accessible, however, and natural gas power plants will play a significant role in the solution moving forward.

Avery-Stoss said it is important for Pennsylvania leaders to continue assessing energy risks and usage to ensure a reliable energy supply that can meet demand, thus preventing blackouts or shortages.

“Clear reliability standards will also be helpful to ensure that infrastructure can meet demand,” Avery-Stoss said. “Electrical grid modernization to accommodate the integration of renewable energy sources could be explored as well.”

Some other innovative solutions involve renewable natural gas-fired generation from landfills or farms, small modular nuclear reactors, renewable energy projects on contaminated lands, solar installations, wind, waste-to-energy technologies, and grid-enhancing technologies.

Avery-Stoss said the exploration of new funding opportunities is essential for driving the expansion of these projects. Such efforts will help infrastructure, technology, and resources keep pace with rising demand.

She said adequate funding will also support ongoing maintenance along with upgrades that can reduce dependence on aging systems.

“Without these commitments, communities face higher risks of outages, economic losses, and limited access to reliable power required for daily life and long-term growth,” Avery-Stoss said. “There is no single energy solution, yet there are many options for avoiding an energy shortage in the near future.”

timesleader.com