Delmarva Power says Delaware safe from national energy strain

• Delmarva Power officials said extreme cold in areas like Texas and Oklahoma aren’t a threat to Delaware’s supply of natural gas or electricity.
• The company weathered the Jan. 25 storm well, with few power outages.
• The company has expanded its liquified natural gas facility, upgraded electric substations, reinforced power lines and installed “smart” devices that automatically reroute power if needed.

After weathering the winter storm on Jan. 25 with few outages, Delmarva Power officials said energy supply problems in other states this week shouldn’t interrupt service in Delaware.

“While extreme cold in areas like Texas and Oklahoma can impact natural gas production, Delmarva Power’s systems are designed and managed to ensure reliable and uninterrupted service for our customers here in Delaware and Maryland,” said Matt Ford, Delmarva Power communications specialist.

Reuters news service reported on Jan. 28 that transmission line congestion at regional electric grid operator PJM, which serves Delaware, is expected to soar as PJM “forecasts record winter power demand ahead of the weekend, boosting electricity prices and raising the chances for rolling blackouts.”

“Restricted natural gas supplies to power plants have also been a major factor in causing generator outages and boosting spot prices, according to analysts and PJM data,” Reuters reported.

However, Delmarva Power’s natural gas system, including the upgraded Wilmington liquified natural gas facility, provides storage capacity that helps manage peak winter demand and maintain reliability even during periods of national supply strain, Ford said.

The company’s gas acquisition team has been navigating interstate pipeline problems including freezing conditions in Texas.

“Despite these challenges and the unprecedented nature of the national weather impacts, we have successfully worked around these disruptions to meet customer demand without service interruptions,” Ford said.

As for electricity, Delmarva Power does not generate it, but works closely with PJM “to ensure sufficient supply and prepare for periods of high demand,” Ford said.

“Our electric delivery system is performing well, and we do not expect any supply‑related impacts for customers this weekend,” he said on Jan. 30.

Few power interruptions during storm Jan. 25 and icy aftermath

The snow, freezing rain and sleet on Jan. 25 followed by icy conditions provided a challenge for Delmarva Power’s electric and natural gas systems, but company officials said workers and equipment passed the test.

“Our teams delivered, staying focused on safety, quick response and keeping the power on and the gas flowing for our customers,” said Marcus Beal, Delmarva Power Region President.

Beal said years of planning and improvements to infrastructure paid off in reliable service with few disruptions.

The company has worked on modernizing the local grid by upgrading substations, reinforcing electric distribution lines, installing hundreds of smart devices that automatically reroute power, replacing aging natural gas lines and expanding the company’s liquified natural gas facility.

The investments have helped reduce outage frequency and duration, while ensuring the electricity and natural gas is reliable when customers need it most, Beal said.

The company’s communications specialist said the storm was “one of the most challenging winter weather events in nearly a decade.”

“Crews and system operators worked around the clock, responding quickly to localized issues and ensuring customers experienced minimal disruption,” Ford said.

As customer energy needs evolve and the reliance on a stable and reliable energy grid increases, Delmarva Power is planning “forward-looking improvements to support advanced automation, renewable energy integration like solar and battery storage, and the growing need for real-time grid visibility,” Ford said.

Reach reporter Ben Mace at rmace@gannett.com.