The Mid-Atlantic region relies on a congested power system that does not have enough capacity to meet rising demand. In Pepco Holdings, Inc.'s (PHI) service territories, demand for power during peak usage times is projected to increase by nearly 20 percent over the next 10 years. Even though this demand has been slowed by the recent recession, projections still indicate we will not be able to supply the power needed in the future.

Long-Term Reliability and Clean-Energy Development

Increase in energy demand is the result of many factors including population growth and increased individual electricity consumption.

To supply the energy that the region needs, MAPP will:

• Address projected regional reliability violations (blackout/brownout)

• Relieve an overloaded transmission system to better serve customers and stabilize increasing costs 

• Create an additional path to transport power to the Delmarva Peninsula, providing and improving access to electricity generation sources west of the Chesapeake Bay 

• Support transmission and distribution systems used by local utilities and cooperative and municipal electric companies

• Complement other planned transmission projects by transporting bulk energy throughout the Mid-Atlantic region 

• Create a bigger "pipeline" for new clean energy solutions (e.g. wind, solar, and nuclear) and help satisfy state renewable resource use requirements

• Provide operating flexibility via the DC technology by:  
  • Allowing adjustment of power flow west or east
  • Providing black start capability on the Delmarva Peninsula and in Southern Maryland
  • Supporting renewable generation that is variable in nature (e.g. wind, solar)