The American regulator has simplified the connection of data centers for AI to the US power grid

The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) voted unanimously to make it easier for artificial intelligence data centers and other large electricity users to connect to the national grid, the Associated Press reports . The decision obliges such objects to be able to connect to the network “in a timely manner and in the prescribed manner.”

The initiative was supported by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright (who eight months ago asked an independent regulator to take tighter control over the process of connecting computer centers to high-voltage lines) - this, according to his plan, should help the US compete with China in the field of AI. FERC Chairwoman Laura Sweatt called the decision a historic step that pushes the energy market forward while protecting average consumers from the costs of connecting large utilities. According to the new rules, the full cost of the necessary network upgrades is paid by the data centers themselves.

The initiative was opposed by utilities, states and regional grid operators who feared losing control over the interconnection process, as well as renewable energy advocates who would like to see FERC support rather than undermine states' efforts to transition to green generation. It is noted that the decision is being made against the backdrop of growing dissatisfaction among US residents with data centers - people are concerned about rising electricity prices, as well as the volumes of water and energy that such facilities consume, and the associated environmental pollution.

There are now more than 4 thousand data centers in the United States, with about 3 thousand more under construction or planned, and the power of such facilities has grown so much that individual centers consume more energy than a small city. According to the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), data centers currently account for about 5% of U.S. electricity demand, and that figure could triple by 2035. For example, in Virginia their share already exceeds 25% and by 2030 could grow to more than 40%. At the same time, as a JP Morgan study showed, more than 60% of the data center capacity planned for commissioning in 2027, according to satellite images, has not even begun to be built yet - the reason is cited as difficulties in obtaining permits and a shortage of gas turbines, transformers and skilled workers.

Earlier, in December, FERC had already taken a step towards data center operators by allowing them to connect directly to power plants, bypassing the general network. xAI, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Oracle, OpenAI, and Amazon have signed Trump's Consumer Protection Pledge, committing to build or purchase new generation capacity for their data centers, pay for infrastructure upgrades, provide backup power in case of outages, and hire local workers.

The shortage of free capacity to connect new data centers to the power grid is already pushing buyers in the US and Europe to reserve places in queues for the supply of gas turbines, paying an additional 10% to 15% of the cost of the turbine.