The largest power grid in the United States initiates emergency power rationing as high temperatures drive up electricity demand.

PJM Interconnection LLC, the largest grid operator in the United States, announced on Friday (July 3) that it had activated an emergency alert. Users who have joined the emergency power rationing plan must reduce their electricity consumption to cope with multiple challenges such as generator failures, transmission line overloads, and a surge in demand for air conditioning.

Reuters reports that PJM said the emergency power rationing order applies to industrial and residential electricity users who have contracts with power companies that stipulate that users must reduce their electricity consumption in emergency situations and will receive corresponding compensation.

PJM said the alert was issued to increase system reserves and avoid power outages during peak electricity demand around 6 p.m. Eastern Time on the 3rd (6 a.m. Singapore Time on the 4th).

PJM announced the activation of a Level 2 Energy Emergency Alert (EEA2) on its emergency procedures website, citing the inability to meet anticipated energy demands as the official reason.

PJM pointed out that the current power shortage is caused by a number of factors, including large-scale generator failures, severe overload of high-voltage transmission lines, and a sharp increase in air conditioning electricity consumption due to the persistent high temperatures in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Since the beginning of this week, as electricity demand has approached the historical high of 165.6 gigawatts (GW) set 20 years ago, the PJM grid has intensified its efforts to conserve electricity.

Meanwhile, a dangerous heatwave hit large parts of the Midwestern United States, disrupting a series of events planned to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States on July 4. Dozens of parades, concerts and fireworks displays were canceled or postponed in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere.

The National Weather Service said that more than 185 million people were under heat warnings on Friday , representing more than half of the total U.S. population, with some areas experiencing wind chills of up to 46 degrees Celsius.

Source: [Lianhe Zaobao] (https://www.zaobao.com/news/world/story20260704-9311214)