Detailed Narrative
Grid Reliability and Storm Response
Exelon's utilities demonstrated strong grid resilience, with all utilities projecting top quartile reliability and ComEd and PHI in the top decile. ComEd experienced 16 major weather events, more than two decades, including severe storms that impacted 530,000 customers, with 90% restored within 48 hours. This performance reflects disciplined investment in grid infrastructure, leading to a decline of nearly 2 million in annual customer interruptions since 2021.
Regulatory Activity and Affordability
The company is actively engaged in several rate cases, including Pepco Maryland, DPL Delaware, ComEd's grid plan, and a new BGE filing. These filings aim to recover prudent investments for grid maintenance and reliability while balancing customer affordability. BGE delayed its filing and deferred select projects to manage customer impacts, emphasizing that long-term affordability depends on a strong, resilient system. A final order for BGE is anticipated in January 2027.
PJM Market Strain and Resource Adequacy
The PJM market is under increasing strain, evidenced by a record demand peak of 168 GW in July, surging power prices, and a capacity auction that cleared at the FERC-approved price cap but still showed a 6.8 GW reliability shortfall. Only 525 MW of new generation cleared, highlighting a significant gap between growing demand and new supply. Exelon advocates for an "all-of-the-above" approach, including transmission, demand-side solutions, market resources, and utility-owned generation.
Large Load Demand and Customer Protection
Exelon is proactively managing the influx of large load customers, particularly data centers, by structuring agreements that require real financial commitments and collateral for necessary infrastructure. This approach, reinforced by FERC's recent dockets, aims to protect existing customers from speculative requests and ensure actionable demand drives system investments. The company's data center pipeline has been refined, filtering out speculative projects, with 4 GW backed by $1 billion in collateral.
Battery Storage and Virtual Power Plants
Exelon is advancing practical solutions like battery storage and virtual power plants (VPPs) to address capacity needs and manage price volatility. A significant 500 MW battery storage project in New Jersey, developed with Invenergy, is expected to provide over $700 million in net benefits to customers without bill impact until 2035. VPP programs in ComEd and Maryland aggregate customer-sited resources to reduce peak demand and support grid reliability.
Balanced Financing and Credit Metrics
The company maintains a strong balance sheet and disciplined financing plan. Approximately 86% of 2026 debt financing needs are complete, and 37% of planned equity needs through 2029 have been priced via ATM forward contracts. Exelon expects strong average credit metrics of approximately 14% through 2029, supporting its capital plan and future growth opportunities.