June 26, 2026 | Source: PJM Interconnection — Manual 13 revisions endorsed by the Markets and Reliability Committee, June 24, 2026
PJM Activates New Capacity Advisory and Backup Generator Emergency Procedures
On June 24, PJM stakeholders endorsed revisions to Manual 13 (Emergency Operations) at the Markets and Reliability Committee. The changes took effect immediately.
Two new tools headline the revisions. A Capacity Advisory gives PJM a formal way to warn members — up to five days out — when forecasted generation is approaching the demand requirement, even outside Hot or Cold Weather Alerts.
The second is an Emergency Use of Backup Generators procedure. Under it, PJM may request a U.S. Department of Energy order allowing data centers and other large loads to run on-site backup generation as a last resort before firm load shed.
What This Means in the Control Room
PJM is openly acknowledging that capacity deficits are no longer confined to extreme heat or cold. Demand growth is outpacing new resource additions, and the Capacity Advisory formalizes earlier coordination so operators aren't reacting at the last minute.
The backup-generator path matters operationally. An "Emergency Use of Backup Generator Action" requires large loads to be ready to transfer to backup within 15 minutes, and it sits ahead of Voltage Reduction and Manual Load Dump in the emergency sequence. Reliability coordinators, TOPs, and large-load LSEs will need clean coordination steps and tested communications before a real event.
For compliance and training teams, expect this to ripple into procedure updates, operator drills, and documentation tied to your emergency operating plans. Other regions run similar capacity procedures, so this is a useful template even outside PJM.
EPG Solutions Can Help
When emergency procedures change overnight, situational awareness is what keeps operators ahead of the curve. EPG Solutions builds RTDMS/PGDA real-time awareness workflows and benchmark intelligence that help control rooms see capacity stress early and coordinate large-load response before it becomes a load-shed decision. Visit EPG Solutions → epgsolutions.services