Texas's 474-gigawatt data-center queue started a hunt for ghost demand
After Texas ordered an audit of data-center grid requests, Reuters reviewed large-load queues across the central United States. Requests exceeded 700 gigawatts, about as much electricity as every U.S. home uses. Texas accounted for more than 474 gigawatts, and ten large utilities elsewhere reported about 270 gigawatts. The numbers are not firm demand. Exelon cut its high-probability data-center estimate by about 40 percent after stricter screening. AEP Ohio's pipeline fell by more than half after state rules added fees and other requirements.
Verified 2:39 AM PDT · 2 original sources
Utilities do not count requests the same way. Some include early inquiries while others require contracts, deposits or permits. Adding the queues together can overstate likely electricity use. Removing weak projects can also hide the remaining problem. Reuters found that confirmed demand still exceeds available generation and grid capacity in several regions.
Texas's audit should show how many projects name an owner, power source, water plan and real customer. Deposits, study fees and permit applications are stronger evidence than a place in a queue. Watch how much requested load survives those tests and who pays when utilities build for projects that do not arrive.
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- ReutersTexas' halt on powering data centers reflects US reckoning over ghost demand ↗
- Office of the Texas GovernorGovernor Abbott Directs Comprehensive Data Center Audit ↗
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