Data Centers Added $6.5 Billion to Big US Grid’s Power Cost
(Bloomberg) -- Data centers tied to the biggest US grid just tacked on another $6.5 billion to the cost of procuring power supplies, adding to concerns the artificial intelligence boom is worsening energy inflation.
After a December auction held by grid operator PJM Interconnection LLC, costs attributable to data centers totaled $23.1 billion for June 2025 through May 2028, independent watchdog Monitoring Analytics LLC said in a report Monday. These fast-growing consumers accounted for 49% of the total cost of $47.2 billion for three consecutive auctions held since mid-2024.
Data centers require massive amounts of energy, and the ability to meet that demand from aging grids comes with high costs for new infrastructure — expenses that will be borne by consumers who already are seeing electricity bills soar. The issue has become a political flash point.
State regulators are starting to push back by enforcing fees and financial obligations on technology companies. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last month ordered PJM to set rules to ensure data center developers pay their fair share. PJM serves nearly a fifth of the country’s population.
(Updates with context in the second through fourth paragraphs.)
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