"Spread Of Data Centers Raises Risk Of Winter Outages, Grid Monitor Warns"

"Regions where peak electricity demand has risen quickly face the highest risks, says the North American Electric Reliability Corp."

"More than a dozen states where data centers are spreading fastest could face electric power emergencies under extreme conditions this winter, the grid’s security monitor warned Tuesday.

The North American Electric Reliability Corp. said regions that face “elevated” risks of power shortages include New England, the Carolinas, parts of the Tennessee Valley region, most of Texas, several eastern Rocky Mountain states and the Pacific Northwest. Canada’s Maritime Provinces have the same outlook.

If such emergencies arise, power grid operators would have to rely on combinations of increased electricity imports from their neighbors — if available — and cutbacks by customers, NERC said, with rotating blackouts as a last resort."

Peter Behr reports for E&E News November 19, 2025.

Source: E&E News, 11/20/2025