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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

Burning Gas Not as Profitable as Selling It, Users Find

LCG, Dec. 12, 2000--The skyrocketing price of natural gas has put some companies in the position of having an inventory of gas that is more valuable than the merchandise the gas would be used to create.

Terra Industries Inc., an ammonia, urea and methanol manufacturing company, said it had shut down of one of the two sets of ammonia and upgrading plants at its Verdigris, Okla. facility.

Michael L. Bennett, chief operating officer of the company, said "The natural gas price increase since our December requirements were purchased for Verdigris permitted us to sell a portion of those purchases and generate higher gross profits than could be realized from selling the products manufactured with the natural gas."

Mississippi Chemical Corp. is betting natural gas prices come back down, so it sold all of its natural gas futures contracts in order to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the unprecedented high prices. The company said it made a pre-tax gain of $16 million on the sale.

"We remain committed to the nitrogen business and our customers, but we also have to takeadvantage of opportunities to optimize cash flow during these challenging times. It is our belief thatthe current unprecedented natural gas prices are unlikely to be sustained during the intermediateterm," Charles O. Dunn, Mississippi Chemical's chief executive, said.

Seneca Resources Corp. of New York, a subsidiary of National Fuel Gas Co., said it had temporarily suspended steaming operations in a California oilfield so it could sell the natural gas used to create the steam.

Steam is injected into oil wells to heat up the crude and improve its flow capabilities. By suspending the steaming operations, Seneca says it can sell the unused gas at a profit of about $31,500 per month.

Too bad electric power can't be stored.

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