One electricity provider will try to beat the rush this summer

(Harrisburg) —Energy use is expected to climb again this summer, following a similar trend over the past couple years, andthe midstate’s grid operator is trying to be proactive…

PJM Interconnection expects demand to push up nearly one-and-a-half percent this summer compared to 2013.

It’s not forecasting any record breaking numbers, 2011 is expected to hold on to the record for another year, but it’s making arrangements to minimize problems.

Spokeswoman Paula Dupont-Kidd says its reached out to others to help out.

“These are largely customers that are either industrial customers or institutional customers, but customers typically who would use a lot of power. And we have committments from them, from a substantial amount of them, to reduce their needs of power if we need them to.”

Dupont-Kidd says the higher projection for this year largely comes as a result of the long-term weather forecast, but also growing population and an improving economy.

She adds utilities have also made improvements to transmission lines in preparation for higher demand.

PJM serves 60 million people Pennsylvania and 12 other states, plus the District of Columbia.