Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. expects to have enough power this summer to meet a peak customer electricity demand that is forecasted to be slightly higher than it was last summer.

"We are well prepared for the peak summer electricity use," said Mark A. Heimbach, supervisor of PP&L's Power Control Center. "Barring any unforeseen major problems, such as the unexpected loss of generating equipment, PP&L will continue to meet the electricity needs of its customers."

PP&L customers set a new mark for summer electricity use in 1994 when 5,638,000 kilowatt-hours were used on July 20. PP&L expects that mark to be broken this summer with a peak use of about 5,680,000 kwh.

PP&L's customers, however, typically use more electricity in the winter. PP&L's all-time peak use mark was set Feb. 6 of this year when customers used 6,508,000 kwh.

"The forecasts aren't an exact science, but they are a way to help you prepare for what is expected," Heimbach said. "We met last summer's customer demand without any problems, and have made sure we are equally as prepared for this summer."

PP&L conducted its major power plant and transmission and distribution line maintenance during the spring to ensure plants and transmission lines will be available for the summer season. Other seasonal preparations have been completed to ensure that equipment and personnel are ready to respond in extreme weather conditions.

The Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection, the 11- utility power pool that includes PP&L, said its studies show that the transmission system across the interconnection is adequate for reliable operations.