As of May 4, 2026, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) issued a rare Level 3 alert – the highest level – after several instances of data centers unexpectedly dropping load or oscillating demand. NERC’s alert, entitled “Level 3 Essential Action Alert, Computational Load Modeling, Studies, Instrumentation, Commissioning, Operations, Protection, and Control,” outlines seven actions registered entities must implement to address the immediate risks posed by computational loads interfacing with the bulk power system (BPS). [1] This mandate applies to transmission planners, operators, system planners, and balancing authorities, among others. The alert was issued as NERC observed customer-initiated large load reductions and major oscillations occurring in a span of seconds, leaving no room for real-time responses and threatening reliability. In a previous Level 2 alert, NERC discussed recommended practices deemed necessary to address emerging risks from large loads. In response to this alert, NERC found that entities generally did not have sufficient processes, procedures, or methods to address risks associated with computational loads.
[1] https://www.nerc.com/globalassets/programs/bpsa/alerts/level-3-computational-load-alert.pdf