Maps Show Data Centers in Areas Where Power Grids Struggling
Summary
Some of the largest data centers in the U.S. are located in areas where power grids are already under stress or may face problems soon. In regions like the Mid-Atlantic and Texas, high electricity demand caused by heat waves and fast growth in data centers is pushing the power systems to near or above record levels.Key Facts
- The Mid-Atlantic grid, managed by PJM Interconnection, is seeing electricity demand close to or above its highest summer peak from 2006.
- PJM serves parts of 13 states and Washington, D.C., including areas with many data centers like Northern Virginia.
- The Department of Energy says rising demand in PJM is mainly driven by data centers, along with electrification and manufacturing.
- Emergency orders allow cutting power to data centers with backup electricity in extreme situations to protect the overall grid.
- Northern Virginia has the world’s largest concentration of data centers, with capacity of 11.3 gigawatts.
- Texas’s grid operator ERCOT expects electricity demand to break records again in 2024 due partly to new data centers and other big projects.
- ERCOT believes blackouts this summer are unlikely due to new power plants coming online, but rising demand remains a concern.
- Electricity use in Texas is projected to grow by 7% in 2025 and 14% in 2026 because of data centers and cryptocurrency mining.
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