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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

UK Regulator Takes Measures to Avoid Blackouts

LCG, Nov. 22, 2002--Power prices have been dropping in the United Kingdom, leading power suppliers to shut down generating units, to the point where the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ogfem) has assisted in negotiations between the largest power plant and the power transmission system.

The actions taken by Ogfem, covering a five-day period, come on the heels of TXU Europe's filing for bankruptcy this week. Losses by TXU Europe and a frail British Energy have led some to claim that despite appearances of a supply glut of 30% above highest anticipated demand, reliability of the country's power supply may be less than simple numbers would indicate. Ogfem has been saying that power prices are low because there are too many generators.

Wholesale power markets have been deregulated for the past year, but retail prices are not capped as they have been in California. One source quoted by Dow Jones Newswires thought that the measures taken by Ogfem were political. "No one, at this particular time, wanted to see the grid forcing (companies) to stop using electricity because supplies were low," the source said.

Peter Atherton, an analyst with Salomon Smith Barney, said "Yes, there may be less readily available supply than some people would think based on the figures, but the system is still flexible enough to handle any major outages even when reserves appear low."
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