California’s electricity consumption is projected to increase dramatically over the coming decades due in large part to planned artificial intelligence data centers, although questions remain about how many of those data centers actually will be built.

The California PUC partially approved a new rule that will make it easier for AI data centers and other large customers such as EV charging stations to complete transmission connection projects in PG&E's territory.

Upgrading California’s grid to serve millions of electric vehicles could cost far less than the $50 billion that a recent study indicated, Cal Advocates say.