Last week, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission released its 2025 Electric Power Outlook Report, which provides an overview of projected electricity demand and system reliability across the Commonwealth and the broader region. The annual report summarizes data submitted by Pennsylvania’s electric distribution companies and incorporates regional assessments from the regional transmission organization that manages the bulk electric system for Pennsylvania, PJM Interconnection, LLC, and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation.  

The report notes that Pennsylvania’s electric usage grew nearly 3% in 2024, with significant industrial demand growth projected over the next five years, driven partly by data centers. PJM expects to maintain adequate electric generation capacity through 2033, provided that planned generation and transmission projects are completed in a timely manner.  

The emerging national and regional trends identified in the report include: 

• Rapid growth of large-load facilities, such as data centers, manufacturing, and hydrogen production. 
• Increased adoption of electric vehicles, which requires planning for changing load patterns. 
• Greater reliance on battery storage systems to balance variable resources like wind and solar. 
• Potential “energy droughts” caused by extended periods of below-normal wind, solar, or hydro output. 
• Ongoing shifts in the resource mix, with more renewable generation coming online while conventional plants retire. 

The report identifies steps that can be taken to reduce these risks. Click here for the press release. Click here for the full report.