PJM Update on 2025 RTEP

PJM presented additional detail on the regional interchange and transmission violations that are expected to fuel need for transmission buildout in the first window of the 2025 Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (RTEP). 

The competitive window for developers to submit projects addressing needs identified in Window 1 is set to open in mid-June and close in August. 

Several large load additions have been submitted in the PPL region, while relatively little new generation is expected in the area, creating a need for new transmission to import power. The long-term seven-year case, which is used to right-size proposals brought for five-year needs, supports the conclusion that upgrades are needed to transfer energy between the Mid-Atlantic Area Council (MAAC) zone and PPL. Around 2.7 GW of load is expected near the Susquehanna switchyard by 2030, 1,400 MW near Juniata, 524 MW near Planebrook and 490 MW near Lancaster. 

Large amounts of generation planned in the southern part of the Dominion zone likely will require upgrades to the 500-kV backbone running through the region. Additional upgrades also may be required on the 765-kV corridor running from northwest PJM to the AEP zone depending on how generation comes online. 

Generation studied through the fast lane interconnection queue (around 300 projects that had minimal network upgrades identified), the 2.6-GW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project and the 1-GW Chesterfield gas generator near Richmond, Va., are expected to serve local needs and not drive significant changes to regional power flows. 

The five-year case looking at 2030 finds PJM’s western region is expected to export almost 8 GW in the summer and 6 GW in the winter, down from the previous year in both seasons. Summer imports into MAAC would increase to about 3 GW. And while the region would remain an exporter in the winter, flows out were projected to decrease from 4 GW to 2 GW in 2030. Imports into Dominion would decrease in both seasons, falling from 6 GW to around 3.75 GW in the summer and from 10 GW to 6 GW in the winter. 

Supplemental Projects

PPL presented a $159 million project to serve a new customer near Allentown, Pa., which is expected to bring 1,000 MW of load by 2031. The project would construct a new 500/138-kV substation, named Orefield, which would cut into the 500-kV line between Susquehanna and Wescosville. The 138-kV Oreville switchyard also would cut into the Wescosville-Siegfried 138-kV and Wescosville-Allentown 138-kV lines. Six 138-kV lead lines would extend from the 138-kV switchyard to the 138/34-kV substation serving the customer. The project is in the conceptual phase with a projected in-service date of May 30, 2028. 

The utility presented an additional $89 million project to serve a new customer near Harrisburg, Pa., requesting service for 450 MW coming online by 2030. A new 230-kV switchyard, named Highspire, would be constructed along the Steelton-Hummelstown 230-kV line, which would be rebuilt as a double circuit. Three 230-kV lead lines would run to a 230/34-kV customer substation. The Hummelstown 230-kV switchyard would be expanded with new 230-kV bays as part of the project. The proposal is in the conceptual phase with a projected in-service date of May 30, 2028. 

PPL presented a $73.5 million project to serve a new customer near Jermyn, Pa., seeking to bring 500 MW of load online by 2029. A new 230-kV switchyard, named Callender Gap, would be built along the Lackawanna-Paupack 230-kV line and serve a new 230/34-kV customer substation with three 230-kV lead lines. The line segment between Lackawanna and Callender Gap would be upgraded to double circuit. The project is in the conceptual phase with an in-service date of May 30, 2028. 

PECO presented a $27 million project to build the Forge Spring 230-kV substation to provide 50 MVA of capacity to the distribution grid in the King of Prussia, Pa., area. The new facility would cut into the Betzwood-Barbadoes line and feature eight 230-kV breakers. It is in the conceptual phase with a projected in-service date of Dec. 31, 2029. 

Dominion presented a $108 million project in Virginia to create an additional 230-kV supply to the Elmont-Fredericksburg corridor, which is seeing a large number of substations constructed to serve data center load. An existing supplemental project is planned to rebuild the Kraken-Elmont 230-kV line, which will establish double circuit structures and a 115-kV corridor between Fredericksburg and Elmont. The new project would install 230-kV conductor on the double circuit structures between Elmont and Kraken and use open arms of existing structures from Elmont to Chickahominy. The result would be two new 230-kV circuits from Kraken to Chickahominy. The project is in the conceptual phase with a Dec. 31, 2030, in-service date. 

Dominion presented a $32.3 million project to serve a data center customer in Spotsylvania, Va., planning to bring 108 MW of load by 2028. The project would construct the 230-kV Tributary substation by cutting into the New Post-Ladysmith CT 230-kV line with 2.4 miles of new double-circuit lines. The project is in the engineering phase with a projected in-service date of April 1, 2027.