US Grids Face Blackout Risk as Heatwave Stresses Power Supplies

The United States is facing an elevated risk of power outages as an intense heatwave strains the capacity of major electric grids. The Department of Energy has issued a warning regarding potential blackouts across a significant portion of the country, particularly affecting the PJM Interconnection. This grid is the largest in the US, supplying electricity to 67 million people across a vast territory that spans from Washington D.C. to Chicago.

The extreme temperatures are testing the limits of the electricity infrastructure, raising concerns about the reliability of power supply for millions of homes and businesses. The situation highlights the vulnerability of energy systems to prolonged periods of high heat, a phenomenon increasingly linked to climate change.