PJM delays 6.8 GW backstop procurement after FERC partly rejects data center capacity plan
PJM Interconnection delayed its reliability backstop procurement, which was set to open offers Sept. 30 through Oct. 21, a day after FERC on Sept. 29, 2026 only partly approved the plan. PJM intends to acquire 6.8 GW of new capacity to cover a shortfall from the 2028/29 delivery year auction, though it may lower that target for expected new supply. FERC said the cost allocation, transmission owner exit rules and load-serving entity collateral requirements may be unjust and unreasonable, and PJM has not set a new timeline.
Unresolved cost allocation and collateral rules (Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative cited roughly $2 billion under the proposal) add uncertainty to who pays for capacity serving data center load in PJM, which matters for siting and power cost assumptions.
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