Utilities around the country expect peak demand to grow by 128 GW, or 15.8%, to 947 GW by 2029, according to the latest report from Grid Strategies.

Entergy Louisiana confirmed a new, $10 billion Meta AI data center is the motive behind its recent filing to build three new gas plants at a combined 2.3 GW.

A WECC report predicts annual demand in the Western Interconnection will grow from 942 TWh in 2025 to 1,134 TWh in 2034, although it says the region should have the resources necessary to meet that load.

Portland General Electric’s rate hikes largely stem from increased wholesale power market costs, the utility wrote after Sen. Ron Wyden voiced concern that Oregon customers are struggling to pay their electricity bills.

The power industry should encourage increased collaboration and transparency to address the many challenges posed by major new loads, presenters said during NARUC's 2024 Annual Meeting.

If data centers are connected to the grid they should contribute to the cost of the network infrastructure providing those services, Exelon Executive Colette Honorable said.

Newly minted American Electric Power CEO Bill Fehrman is promising to “embrace large load opportunities,” leverage its expertise in 765-kV transmission and deliver more positive regulatory outcomes.

The Southeast’s traditionally risk-averse vertically integrated utilities are now embracing the clean energy transition, driven by economic development in the form of new industry and data centers.