Curated reference and analysis. Last full review: July 9, 2026
Verify all figures against ISO sources before relying on them for project decisions.
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PJM

PJM Interconnection · All or parts of DE, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, NJ, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, DC
www.pjm.com/Last updated: 2026-07-09Tier:MixedConfidence:MediumFERC · Show-cause: partial credit (195 FERC ¶ 61,211)

Already under a December 2025 co-location order with a compliance filing accepted in part in June 2026. Exempted from some directives other regions received under the June 18, 2026 show-cause. Intervention window closed July 9, 2026.

Bottom line

Largest U.S. market and the data-center epicenter, but a looming capacity shortfall, a queue mid-overhaul, and intense political heat over ratepayer cost-shifting make timing and cost uncertain.

Author analysis. Review against primary sources before relying on this for project decisions.

Verified facts and placeholders

Facts
Total queue MW
118,800 MWstale · as of 2026-06-22
Total queue projects
1,006stale · as of 2026-06-22
Avg interconnection wait
8 yearsas of 2026-07-09
Large-load queue MW
55,000 MWstale · as of 2026-06-22
Queue status
reform-in-progress
Large-load posture
Developing
Generation queue notes
PJM has moved to a first-ready, first-served annual cycle process. Cycle 1 closed Apr. 27, 2026 with 811 new generation projects totaling 220 GW, and PJM stated there was no remaining backlog from prior queues. The Reliability Resource Initiative selected 51 projects totaling 9,361 MW UCAP, and FERC approved a temporary Expedited Interconnection Track for up to 10 large capacity-resource requests per year.
Large-load posture rationale
FERC's December 2025 order forced PJM to create transparent co-location rules; PJM filed compliance Jan/Feb 2026. PJM classifies large load as 50 MW+ in forecasting. Projected 6-15 GW capacity shortfall by 2027-2030 is the core tension.
Primary source
www.pjm.com/planning/services-requests/interconnection-queues

Analyst read

Editorial analysis
Tier
Mixed
Rationale
Largest U.S. market and the data-center epicenter, but a looming capacity shortfall, a queue mid-overhaul, and intense political heat over ratepayer cost-shifting make timing and cost uncertain.
What's working
  • Queue is moving again under Cycle 1; 811 projects totaling 220 GW submitted into the first reformed-process intake.
  • Clear FERC-mandated co-location framework gives developers a defined (if costly) path.
What's working against
  • Projected 6-15 GW capacity shortfall by 2027-2030 against surging data-center demand.
  • Bipartisan governor and White House pressure to make data centers bear their own infrastructure costs raises cost risk.
One thing to watch
FERC's June 2026 national large-load rule (RM26-4-000), which uses PJM's co-location order as a template.
Analyst note
PJM is where the most data-center demand wants to land and where the most friction lives. The queue restart is real progress, but anyone planning a large load here should price in cost-allocation uncertainty and a capacity market under strain. The co-location rules are the model the rest of the country is watching.

Major announced projects in this market

Exhibit 2 · supporting

Recent reforms

Source-backed
  1. 2025-12
    FERC co-location show-cause order

    FERC directed PJM to create three new transmission service options for co-located large loads and revise behind-the-meter generation rules to curb cost-shifting.

    Source
  2. 2026-02
    Co-location compliance filings

    PJM filed Jan 20 and Feb 23, 2026 compliance proposals establishing a Necessary Studies process requiring co-located generators to bear upgrade costs and adjust Capacity Interconnection Rights.

    Source
  3. 2026-06
    FERC approves Expedited Interconnection Track

    FERC approved PJM’s temporary Expedited Interconnection Track for large, shovel-ready capacity resources. PJM expects qualifying projects to execute GIAs within 10 months and be operational within three years.

    Source

Upcoming milestones

Source-backed
  1. 2026-07-14
    PJM 2028/29 BRA results

    2028/29 Base Residual Auction ran June 30–July 7, 2026; results released July 14 after 4 p.m. ET. First auction without the cap/floor construct. The 2027/28 auction cleared at the $333.44/MW-day cap; PJM's own simulation showed roughly $530/MW-day without it. Top upcoming milestone on the tracker.

    Source
  2. 2026-09
    Reliability Backstop Procurement Phase I

    Phase I bilateral contracting targets a projected shortfall — initial procurement near 14.9 GW, revised toward roughly 9 GW. Paid for by large loads.

    Source
  3. 2027-03
    Reliability Backstop Procurement Phase II

    Phase II auction expected. Pairs with the May 2027 capacity-market reforms PJM previewed in its May 2026 white paper.

    Source
  4. 2026-07-01
    Virginia data center electricity tax effective

    Virginia's first-of-its-kind $0.011/kWh tax on all data center consumption took effect July 1, 2026. Projected ~$600M/yr for the state general fund. Applies within the Dominion (PJM) zone.

    Source

Sources & last updated

Provenance
Last updated
2026-07-09
Primary source
https://www.pjm.com/planning/services-requests/interconnection-queues
Source registry