A surge of frigid temperatures across the Eastern US last weekend led to a sharp rise in power plant outages, underscoring how extreme cold continues to strain regional grid reliability. PJM Interconnection, which serves 67 million customers, reported nearly 21 GW of generation offline, roughly 16% of Sunday afternoon demand. Much of that capacity was forced out due to fuel constraints and mechanical stress driven by the cold.

To stabilize the system, PJM issued a pre‑emergency order calling on enrolled demand‑response customers to reduce usage, while asking some generators to preserve fuel for even colder conditions expected later in the week.

The cold snap pushed regional power prices sharply higher – reaching $400–$700/MWh in PJM, New York, and New England – as demand outpaced grid forecasts. In New England, limited gas availability shifted generation toward oil‑fired units, which supplied nearly 40% of the region’s power.

For commercial customers, these conditions highlight the growing importance of flexible load strategies and diversified energy procurement during extreme weather events.

Read more: Reuters.com