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Faster-than-Expected Data Center Load Growth May Cause Increased Regional Short-term Fossil Fuel Generation and Wholesale Electricity Prices

LCG, March 18, 2026--The EIA released a new "In-depth Analysis" of the potential impact of faster-than-expected near-term growth in data center power demand on power generation and wholesale prices on March 12. The analysis models the lower 48 states through 2027 and compares results to its base case scenario. Key takeaway from this sensitivity analysis is the potential increase in fossil fuels in some regions and potentially a significant increase in wholesale prices in ERCOT.

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Faster-than-Expected Data Center Load Growth May Cause Increased Regional Short-term Fossil Fuel Generation and Wholesale Electricity Prices

LCG, March 18, 2026--The EIA released a new "In-depth Analysis" of the potential impact of faster-than-expected near-term growth in data center power demand on power generation and wholesale prices on March 12. The analysis models the lower 48 states through 2027 and compares results to its base case scenario. Key takeaway from this sensitivity analysis is the potential increase in fossil fuels in some regions and potentially a significant increase in wholesale prices in ERCOT.

Read more

Industry News

Hope Creek, Palo Verde 3 Complete Speedy Refuelings

LCG, Nov. 6, 2001--The 1,031 megawatt Hope Creek nuclear power plant operated by PSEG Nuclear near Wilmington, Del., was ramping up to full power following a 24-day refueling outage, the shortest in the plant's 15-year history, Public Service Enterprise Group said yesterday.

Also yesterday, Arizona Public Service Co.'s 1,270 megawatt Palo Verde Unit 3 reactor rejoined the grid following a 37-day refueling outage, which was one of the shortest ever for Unit 3, but no record.

Both companies stressed that high standards of safety were achieved during the outages. This reflects a change in the nuclear culture of U.S. utilities which has resulted in record-breaking performance from the nation's atomic power plants in the last two or three years.

Industry-wide, the capacity factor of nuclear generation has pushed above 90 percent, surpassing that for any other form of generation. In 1999, the cost of electricity produced in nuclear power plants was 1.83 cents per kilowatt-hour, the lowest of any form of generation.

Harry Keiser, chief nuclear officer of PSEG and president of PSEG Nuclear, was pleased with the short duration of the Hope Creek refueling outage, but said the "real indicator" of the company's nuclear operations "is our stellar safety performance." He said that performance should "reinforce to the local community that nuclear safety and the health and safety of the public remains our top priority."

The high capacity factor of the nuclear power industry is the result of carefully planned refueling outages, during which much of a plant's maintenance is accomplished, according to Gregg Overbeck, senior vice president of nuclear operations for APS, which operates Palo Verde. "Our steady, consistent operations between refueling outages depend on executing large amounts of quality work during very aggressive refueling schedules," he said.

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