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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

Outlook Questionable for LG&E's Participation in the Midwest ISO

LCG, December 29, 2004--Earlier this month LG&E Energy LLC notified the Midwest ISO (MISO) that its Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities subsidiaries plan to withdraw from the regional transmission organization (RTO). LG&E Energy conducted a cost-benefit analysis and estimates that its utilities would save over $65 million over the next five years by leaving the MISO, even after incorporating an exit fee of $23.8 million.

The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) began an investigation earlier this year into the utilities joining the MISO, and a hearing is scheduled to begin after February 1, 2005. The costs to LG&E utilities for participating in the MISO, estimated to be $7 million for retail customers, can not be added to utility bills prior to PSC approval.

Estimating the costs and benefits related to establishing and operating regional transmission organizations is an on-going concern. In neighboring Virginia, state legislation required utilities, such as Virginia Power, to join an RTO, thus making cost-benefit analyses somewhat a moot issue. To support the development of RTOs, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released a study in October designed to estimate the cost of developing a "Day One RTO" that meets the minimum requirements of the FERC's Order 2000. Given the unique nature of each of the limited number of existing RTOs, the FERC's review of actual cost data showed considerable cost differences between RTOs.

The MISO has been conducting training and testing for its new market structure, which includes locational marginal pricing (LMP), and the market is planned to open on March 1, 2005.

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