PJM Cycle 1 Interconnection (2026): Timeline, Requirements, and Developer Strategy

PJM’s Cycle 1 process requires projects to be fully engineered at submission. The April 27, 2026, deadline is a readiness gate, not a placeholder entry into the queue.

Core Submission Requirements

To be accepted into Cycle 1, applications must include:

• Fully executed Application and Studies Agreement (ASA)
• Required study deposits and readiness payments
• Demonstrated site control per PJM tariff requirements
• Complete technical data submission via PJM’s NextGen portal
• Incomplete applications are not queued.

Modeling Requirements (Required at Submission)

PJM requires a complete, study-ready modeling package at the time of application:

• PSS®E Power Flow Model (.idv) — full facility topology
• PSS®E Dynamic Model (.dyr) — compliant with PJM standards
• Plant-level controls, including inverter behavior, plant controller logic, and reactive capability
• Models must reflect actual equipment and system behavior, placeholder or simplified models are not accepted.

Dynamic Model Expectations

• Dynamic models must:
  • Use approved model structures (e.g., REGC_A / REEC_B / REPCA_A)
  • Include OEM-specific parameters (no defaults)
  • Accurately represent voltage control, active power limits, and frequency response
• Additionally:
  • Models must initialize cleanly
  • Output must match the power flow solution at the POI

EMT Requirements (Post-Submission)

• All Bulk Power System projects must submit PSCAD EMT models at Decision Point II.
  (Currently scheduled: August 25, 2027)
• EMT models must align with submitted PSS®E models — early development is required to avoid delays.

Validation Requirements

PJM requires validation testing, including:

• Flat start initialization
• Voltage ride-through performance
• Maximum Facility Output (MFO) verification
• Real/reactive power response validation
• Failure to pass validation results in data requests and study delays.

Key Risk Areas

Common issues at submission:

• Default or incorrect model parameters
• Missing plant controller logic
• Misalignment across power flow, dynamic, and EMT models