The PJM Interconnection’s Reliability Resource Initiative, a fast-track interconnection process, attracted 94 applications totaling 26.6 GW, according to the grid operator.
The proposed projects include new and uprated nuclear and natural gas-fired power plants, as well as new battery storage, PJM said March 21. Half of the proposals are new projects; the other half would increase capacity at existing power plants, according to the grid operator for the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions.
LS Power said it proposed converting two peaking facilities in Pennsylvania and Ohio to baseload combined cycle plants for an additional 600 MW, along with uprates totaling about 100 MW at other power plants in Pennsylvania and Virginia. The projects would cost about $1 billion, the independent power producer said.
Alpha Generation proposed about 450 MW in uprates at four power plants in Maryland, New Jersey and Ohio.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved PJM’s one-time RRI in mid-February on a 3-1 vote. Under the process, PJM will consider adding up to 50 shovel-ready projects that meet certain reliability and commercial operation date criteria to the just-started interconnection Transition Cycle 2, which already contains about 550 projects totaling about 50 GW in nameplate capacity.
“Adding RRI projects to TC2 is key to bringing additional capacity to the PJM markets before 2030,” PJM said. “Even for those that can’t [meet the timeline], it still benefits the PJM markets to have projects with an overall high score get a head start toward construction and commercial operation through participation in the RRI process.”
PJM said it expects to release more details about the RRI in mid-April.
The RRI proposal is in response to PJM’s concerns that its power supply margins are slipping in the face of power plant retirements and growing electricity demand. The grid operator estimates that it could face capacity shortfalls as soon as 2026.
PJM estimates its initiative could bring about 10 GW online 18 months earlier than if the projects followed the grid operator’s normal interconnection process, according to FERC’s decision.
In a prelude to potential lawsuits over FERC’s approval of the RRI, various companies, state officials and organizations this month asked the agency to reconsider its decision.
They include Invenergy Renewables, the American Clean Power Association, the Solar Energy Industries Association, Advanced Energy United and MAREC Action, the Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council and other groups, the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel and the Environmental Law & Policy Center.
In part, they contend the RRI discriminates against proposed power projects that have been waiting in PJM’s interconnection queue.
“Much as PJM’s tinkering with its capacity market has undermined market confidence, the commission’s approval of PJM’s queue jumping proposal has begun to erode confidence in PJM’s interconnection rules and catalyze additional proposals to undermine open access in other [regional transmission organizations],” Invenergy said in its March 13 rehearing request.
The Midcontinent Independent System Operator last week also asked FERC to approve a special fast-track interconnection review process.
