US data centers outpace grid as power constraints mount, Moody's data shows
Moody's data: US data centers may use over 426 TWh by 2030, while grid delays and power limits threaten projects.
The data indicates new data center campuses can be developed much more quickly than new grid infrastructure. Power projects face lengthy planning phases, long lead times for equipment and supply chain issues, and according to the report some projects face delays of up to seven years.
Moody's says the US grid system should also consider transmission infrastructure to move electricity to data center clusters, not just building capacity for additional generation. That additional transmission infrastructure could also provide rural communities with access to cheaper energy that has been generated further afield.
Canada's Saskatchewan is one example of how a region can tackle power issues, because the province requires large new facilities to supply their own power, according to the report.
Some US states and regions have been forced to put a temporary ban on certain new projects while they reassess legislation.
President Trump's Ratepayer Protection Pledge aims to shift responsibility onto utility companies to protect citizens from bearing the brunt of rising costs. Moody's ultimate conclusion, however, is that data center projects are coming in at an accelerated rate, and the grid clearly needs additional support from operators to deliver campuses on time.