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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

Texas Regulator Says Utilities Should Repay Dereg 'Windfall'

LCG, March 28, 2001--The top Texas utility regulator says electric utilities should surrender potentially multibillion-dollar windfalls that grew unexpectedly from the Texas deregulation law, according to a report in this morning's Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

"This one is pretty big," Pat Wood, chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, said. Generated by disputed utility overearnings, the windfall could total between $4 billion and $7 billion, according to analysts. Their rough estimates put the average residential refund at between $450-$685.

Wood said the state legislature would have to provide leadership on the issue. "There are some changes of circumstance that do merit some guidance," he said.

In 1998, the PUCT set electric rates at a level that would allow Texas utilities to recover losses expected from deregulation, but those losses have failed to materialize and now some say they never will and the utilities may actually end up with gains when the state fully opens its electricity market to retail competition.

State Rep. Sylvester Turner, a Houston Democrat, has introduced legislation that would force Texas utilities to refund deregulation-based overearnings.

Utility officials say they probably don't owe anything but have asked regulators to wait at least until the deregulation process is over before figuring out the bill.

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