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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

California ISO Seeks Plan to Attract Imports

LCG, Apr. 12, 2002--A meeting of the California Independent System Operator and Northwest utilities and wholesale power marketers sought yesterday to make further progress on an effective means to solicit bids from power suppliers out-of-state.

The ISO informed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission this week that imports are less than 1 percent of overall supplies required to meet summer demand, down from 27 to 30 percent. The change is attributed to a February order by the FERC commonly known as "zero dollar bid," because the price received by out-of-state suppliers depends entirely on the market price results determined within California. Northwest utilities and potential exporters in Canada's British Columbia have said that they are unfairly made to accept risk because of the order.

Out-of-state producers do not necessarily have to be able to set the market-clearing price in order to have fair bidding opportunities, the ISO has told FERC. The "zero dollar bid" rule was instituted in order to end "megawatt laundering," the alleged practice of California generators selling to out-of-state traders or generators who could resell the same energy as an import to California at a higher price.
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