A sweeping heatwave impacting two‑thirds of the United States is pushing the national power grid to its limits, forcing utility providers, regulators, and consumers to take emergency measures.
In New York City, Con Edison alerted residents to reduce electricity use and temporarily dropped voltage by about 8% in parts of Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Queens to ease pressure on the system during repair work. Despite these efforts, thousands of customers experienced outages as record temperatures hit the region.
Across the East Coast and Midwest, utilities from Virginia to New Jersey reported similar capacity challenges. In Philadelphia and Cleveland, lines went down last week amid heat-driven demand spikes, and full restorations remain pending . Amtrak has also reduced train speeds and suspended select routes after rail tracks reached unsafe temperatures.
Spot electricity prices in key markets surged to record levels: wholesale rates in New England climbed to about $189 per megawatt-hour, a sharp increase from the annual average of $81. Meanwhile, spot power at the PJM West hub has exceeded $200 per megawatt-hour for several consecutive days, compared to a 2025 average of $56.
Federal officials have responded urgently; the Energy Department has declared power emergencies in several southern states and directed grid operators to run generators at full output . The Federal Transit Administration and National Weather Service warn that relief from the heat remains unlikely for the rest of the week, with nighttime temperatures staying elevated .
The crisis also underscores emerging stress on the grid from non-traditional users: high-capacity data centers powered by artificial intelligence systems are drawing increasing electricity. In northern Virginia, these centers now account for a growing share of demand, prompting warnings that future AI-driven growth could further strain the grid .
Experts emphasize that the current event reflects deeper structural challenges. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation has flagged low reserve margins across key regions—including the Midwest, Texas, New England, and Southern California—as heatwaves become more frequent . A recent Climate Central analysis found a 60% increase in heat-related power outages between 2014 and 2023.
In response, utility companies are urging customers to conserve energy—especially during peak afternoon hours—while regulators review infrastructure investments. Long-term solutions include enhancing grid flexibility, expanding renewable generation with storage options, and modernizing transmission systems .
With input from Al Jazeera
