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PJM accepts first expedited-track projects totaling more than 2,100 MW

PJM accepted two battery projects and a gas-facility upgrade into its expedited interconnection process. Mid-2029 operation is planned; nameplate capacity is not capacity already on the grid.

By Greener Numbers Editorial Team · Published October 9, 2026 · Updated 10/9/2026

PJM announced on October 8 that it accepted the first three projects into its temporary Expedited Interconnection Track. The projects have more than 2,100 megawatts of combined nameplate capacity: two battery storage projects and an upgrade to an existing natural gas generator. Acceptance into the process is not evidence that the plants are operating or that final interconnection agreements have been executed.

The two storage projects from ENGIE IR Holdings LLC total 1,660 MW. PJM identifies Wayne 345 kV as an 860 MW project in Crawford, Pennsylvania, in the PENELEC zone, and Galion 345 kV as an 800 MW project in Morrow, Ohio, in the ATSI zone. These are power-capacity figures, not battery energy-storage durations or megawatt-hour ratings.

The third project, Hunterstown 500 kV, would add 455 MW of nameplate capacity at an existing gas facility in Adams, Pennsylvania, in the Met-Ed zone. PJM says all three accepted projects are slated to come online in mid-2029. That schedule is a project expectation, not a guarantee of completed construction or permission to treat the capacity as available today.

The application window opened July 31 for projects backed by a primary siting authority that can begin operation within three years. PJM says the process allows up to ten interconnection requests per calendar year in 2026 and 2027. A qualifying project must offer at least 250 MW of unforced capacity, the amount credited for reliability purposes. Unforced capacity and full-output nameplate capacity are different measures.

PJM expects accepted projects to execute a Generation Interconnection Agreement within ten months of submission. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis until the annual limit is reached, and the expedited process sunsets at the end of 2027. The pathway also requires a commitment from a relevant state authority to help expedite site permitting; acceptance does not erase that separate permitting work.

Limits: PJM presents the track as one part of its response to rising electricity demand, including data centers and other large-load customers. Its announcement does not calculate household bill savings, prove that these batteries will prevent price spikes, or establish that storage is the only technology that can meet the process requirements. The useful milestone is entry into a faster process, with delivery still planned years ahead.

Official source: insidelines.pjm.com ↗