AbstractIn this paper, the optimal load curtailment (OLC) problem is formulated as a multi‐objective optimization framework, which objectives include maximizing the security margin and minimizing the cost incurred for load curtailment. A new and comprehensive multi‐objective fuzzy linear programming (MFLP) method is developed to solve this presented OLC model. Using the MFLP method, objectives and constrains of the OLC model are fuzzied and their enforcements are maximized. The MFLP model can deal with the uncertainties that exist in certain variables and overcome the limitations of minor constraint violations in normal LP model. The effectiveness of the developed method is tested on the modified IEEE 30 bus system and the IEEE 118 bus system. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.