Norristown-based PJM Interconnection, the nation’s largest electric grid operator, is being overwhelmed with requests from energy developers who are asking to connect to its regional transmission network and is looking to put a two-year delay on reviewing over 1,200 energy projects, the majority of which are solar power, writes James Bruggers for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Currently, only 6 percent of PJM’s distribution mix comes from wind, solar, and hydropower plants.

However, the nonprofit’s officials said that the past four years have brought a fundamental shift in the number and type of energy projects that are asking to be connected to its grid.

Previously, PJM’s project queue predominantly consisted of several large projects such as big natural gas power plants. However, PJM is now receiving a much larger number of smaller projects related to renewable energy.

“Our system wasn’t designed to handle that kind of growth,” said Kenneth S. Seiler, vice president of planning at PJM.

The grid operator is proposing a two-phased solution: putting the projects closest to the construction stage at the front of the line and implementing a two-year delay on the around 1,250 projects in its queue.

Read more about PJM Interconnection and solar projects in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.