PJM Moves 200 GW of New Power Projects Into Reformed Study Cycle

The application window, which closed on April 27, drew 811 proposals before being narrowed down to the final 715. This cohort reflects a diverse energy mix, with storage projects leading the count at 314, followed by 147 natural gas and 117 solar proposals. In terms of sheer nameplate capacity, natural gas dominates with 99.8 GW, while storage accounts for 60 GW. To manage this volume, PJM is deploying HyperQ, an AI-driven tool developed by Google’s Tapestry, to streamline data analysis during the one- to two-year review process.

Jason Connell, PJM’s Vice President of Planning, noted that the current rigorous vetting—requiring proof of site control and up-front financial commitments—is intended to filter out speculative ventures that have historically cluttered the queue. This shift is vital as PJM faces a projected demand increase of up to 70 GW by 2038, spurred by data centers and large-scale industrial growth. While 51 GW of capacity currently holds signed agreements, developers often face external bottlenecks, including supply chain delays and state-level permitting hurdles. PJM aims to clear these through its updated process, with further progress expected upon the completion of Transition Cycle 2 in early 2027 and Cycle 1 in 2028.