Data Center Power Demand Tracker

How AI and cloud demand are reshaping load forecasts, procurement, and grid planning

Data center load is becoming a major planning issue for utilities and grid operators. AI and cloud computing are driving large increases in electricity demand, changing procurement decisions, and raising questions about how new infrastructure will be paid for. From large hyperscale campuses to behind-the-meter nuclear deals, this page tracks the projects, contracts, and grid impacts shaping the market.

175 GW

ERCOT interconnection queue

830%

PJM capacity price spike

$500B+

Stargate AI infrastructure

70 GW

Dominion contracted load

AI-driven data center development is contributing to one of the largest increases in electricity demand in decades. Facilities that once drew 10-20 megawatts now often require 100+ MW. In some cases, entire generating resources are being contracted to single customers. Grid operators and utilities are adjusting load forecasts and build plans in response.

The Daily Mine tracks this transformation daily with coverage from Reuters, Bloomberg, Utility Dive, and more. Below are the key themes and markets to watch.

AI POWER TRACKER

Company-by-company dashboard tracking power capacity, nuclear deals, grid stress, and $600B+ in hyperscaler CapEx.

View Tracker →

Key Markets

See our Data Center Hotspots rankings for state-by-state analysis of industrial power prices, grid capacity, and renewable mix.

Virginia - Data Center Alley

Northern Virginia is the world's largest concentration of data centers. Dominion Energy has 70,000 MW of large-load requests in its interconnection queue — nearly tripled since January 2025. Only 25,000 MW have set connection dates. The new GS-5 rate class requires data centers to fund their own infrastructure. The Valley Link 765-kV transmission line through 9 counties now faces a 2,800-member opposition campaign.

→ Virginia Archive (39 stories)

Texas - ERCOT Under Pressure

ERCOT has received 175 GW of data center interconnection requests — though only ~24 GW is expected to be built by 2031. Texas has 80.6 GW of new gas capacity under development with 40 GW earmarked for data centers. ERCOT faces a potential 6.2% summer 2026 shortfall in severe scenarios.

→ Texas Archive (43 stories)

PJM - Capacity Crunch

PJM's 2026/27 capacity auction cleared at a record $329.17/MW-day. PJM filed its Expedited Interconnection Track (EIT) with FERC — 10 fast-track slots per year for 250 MW+ data center projects with state siting approval. Data center load growth is outpacing generation additions in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

→ PJM Coverage

Key Companies

Amazon/AWS Microsoft Google Meta Dominion Duke Energy Constellation ERCOT

Key Themes We Track

Nuclear Renaissance - Tech giants signing direct deals with nuclear operators. Microsoft-Constellation (Three Mile Island), Amazon-Talen (Susquehanna), Google SMRs.
Grid Interconnection Backlogs - Multi-year waits to connect new generation. FERC reform efforts. Queue management crises at PJM, MISO, ERCOT.
Rate Case Battles - Utilities seeking billions in grid upgrades. Consumer advocates pushing back. Who pays for data center infrastructure?
Land Use Conflicts - Data center moratoriums. Community opposition. Water usage concerns. Noise complaints.
Renewable Procurement - Corporate PPAs. RECs vs. 24/7 carbon-free. Additionality debates.

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Latest Data Center Stories from Archive

Tracking hyperscale buildouts, AI power demand, grid strain, utility responses, and moratoriums

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