Overview
- Grid delivery and interconnection processes are now the main bottleneck for new AI data centers, producing measurable project delays and cancellations.
- Global electricity use by data centers is projected to roughly double by 2030, and US demand forecasts have climbed to about 66 gigawatts in the near term.
- Developers are turning to non‑grid options such as onsite natural‑gas generation, battery storage and small modular reactor offtakes to secure firm, always‑on power.
- Supply chains are straining the rollout because transformer and cable lead times have roughly doubled and new transmission builds can take years to complete.
- Local opposition, stalled projects in places like Virginia and California, and growing utility and legislative scrutiny are raising the risk that consumers could face higher costs to fund network upgrades.