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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

PetroWorld Develops Floating Methanol Plant

LCG, July 29, 2003Several petroleum companies have joined forces to develop a floating methanol plant.

Transworld Exploration and the Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa have formed the joint venture PetroWorld Limited, which itself has joined with New Jersey-based Foster Wheeler Power Systems and Texas-based Starchem Technologies and Waller Marine Inc. The companies are interested in accessing stranded natural gas reserves and converting the gas into methanol.

Much of the worlds natural gas reserves lie untouched under remote parts of the ocean. Transporting the gas by refrigerated tankers is not efficient or affordable. Converting the gas to a liquid such as methanol allows the fuel to be transported as a liquid on ordinary tankers. However, traditional methods of converting natural gas to methanol cannot be applied directly to a floating system because of size and safety considerations. Starchem Technologies, Waller Marine, and Foster Wheeler Power Systems are apparently engineering realistic methanol floating plants, which may be deployed within three years of project finalization.

The floating plant will be able to produce roughly 12,000-15,000 tons of methanol per day.

Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, can fuel cars and other devices. The chemical has only one carbon atom, one less than ethanol. Methanol is lethal if ingested by humans but burns very cleanly when used as fuel.

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