Is there any way to predict when Deep Creek Power Plant will operate?
In general, Deep Creek operation follows peaks in consumer energy demands within the Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland (PJM) energy market. Being a hydroelectric facility, we have the ability to start generation quickly in response to these, oftentimes, unpredictable fluctuations in the market. Sometimes these spikes in energy demand are of short duration; sometimes they extend for longer periods of time. We can not offer any method to accurately predict the length of generation. Deep Creek simply responds to these events, balancing the energy needs of the PJM market with water availability, permit restrictions and other water users. Deep Creek also is required to operate for white water boating and to control temperatures in the Youghiogheny River. Of these required generation periods, only the white water boating schedule is known in advance. The white water schedule is available on the web page by opening the Whitewater schedule button in the left window.
