Utilities Ramp Up Grid Investments For Data Centers

Major US utilities on Feb. 14 announced expanded capital plans to build transmission and generation to meet surging data-center demand, Reuters reports. AEP increased its five-year plan beyond $72 billion adding $5–8 billion and reported 56 GW of data-center agreements (with 180 GW requested); Exelon raised its four-year plan to $41.3 billion. The investment push raises electricity bills, regulatory pressure, and potential PJM market changes.