AI Data Centers Spark a "Power War": U.S. Moves to Accelerate Grid Connection for Large-Scale Computing Facilities

Odaily Odaily reports that the AI boom has led to a surge in electricity demand from data centers across the United States, driving up electricity prices in many regions and prompting power outage warnings in some areas. To alleviate the power supply dilemma, the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on the 18th asked regional grid operators to consider new agreements to accelerate the grid connection of large power consumers like data centers. The commission also stated that it will no longer proactively consider environmental impacts under the National Environmental Policy Act when formulating future rules.

According to data from Data Center Map, there are currently over 4,000 data centers operating in the U.S., with numerous others in planning or under construction. However, the pace of data center construction far exceeds the commissioning of new power plants. Coupled with slow grid connection progress, major tech companies across the nation are scrambling to secure electricity quotas for their facilities. Data from the Electric Power Research Institute shows that data centers currently account for about 5% of total U.S. electricity demand, a figure that could rise to approximately 20% by 2035. (Source: CCTV Finance)