[USA] ERCOT to complete data center audit by December

As of August 26, 2026, ERCOT plans to audit roughly 300 proposed data centers with 75 MW or more by December 10, 2026, a step needed for its “Batch Zero” process to continue and for large-load interconnections to resume. [1] ERCOT will also conduct community impact reviews of data centers and crypto facilities with 25 MW or more of capacity, following Texas Gov. [2] Greg Abbott’s directive to scrutinize their electricity and water use and potential impacts on communities and public resources. The scale of proposed demand is substantial: ERCOT’s interconnection queue totals about 474 GW, with roughly 90% of requests associated with data centers. However, much of the queue may be speculative or duplicative, making the audit important for determining which projects are likely to actually connect and should be incorporated into ERCOT’s long-term load forecasts and reliability planning. The delays could push back those broader planning efforts.

[1] https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-directs-comprehensive-data-center-audit

[2] https://www.ercot.com/services/rq/large-load-integration

[USA] Energy trade tensions escalates between US and Canada

As of August 26, 2026, the escalating US-Canada trade dispute is threatening to disrupt electricity trade between the two countries and could raise power prices in parts of the US. [1] Canada is expected to announce retaliatory tariffs on US goods after President Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs on about $20 billion ($27.6 billion CAD) of Canadian goods took effect. [2] Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have discussed a potential 25% tariff on electricity exports to the US, while Ontario has also considered restricting electricity exports in response. In 2025, Canada exported 32.7 TWh of electricity to the U.S., compared with 22.1 TWh of imports from the US, underscoring the importance of the cross-border relationship. While grid operators do not expect reduced Canadian imports to cause major reliability problems under normal conditions, losing Canadian power could increase reliance on more expensive generation and put upward pressure on electricity prices, particularly during periods of extreme weather.

[1] https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/5c358f51-bc8c-4565-854d-9d2e35e6b178

[2] https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2026/08/canada-announces-targeted-countermeasures-and-substantive-support-for-workers-and-businesses-in-response-to-us-tariffs.html

[USA] FERC approves MISO cost allocation framework for transmission projects

As of August 14, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved a cost allocation framework for transmission projects from the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) built in the PJM Interconnection’s footprint. [1] Under the framework, Exelon’s Commonwealth Edison will build one group of projects worth almost $904 million, and Duke Ohio is set to build $5.3 million in projects. FERC rejected calls for requiring the projects to undergo competitive solicitations. FERC commissioners Judy Chang and David Rosner stated that MISO’s proposal emphasizes the importance of interregional transmission, citing how in certain cases, the most cost-effective solutions for one region’s system needs could include transmission upgrades in another region’s footprint.

[1] https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?_sp=92451edb-066e-47f9-8b61-5b5595943270.1787166046822&accession_number=20260814-3087&optimized=false&sid=c424e4b1-1936-4c05-8ebc-cdfe849a7b94

[USA] DOE cancels 3 proposed National Interest Electric Transmission corridors

As of August 12, 2026, the US Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it will not move forward with the designation of 3 proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETC) that the Biden administration selected for review in 2024. [1] The release stated that the corridors were selected to advance that administration’s “Green New Scam” agenda. [2] Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that transmission policy must “serve the American people, not special interests or a climate-alarmist agenda.” The release alleged that the current designation framework proved ineffective in strengthening grid reliability and reducing electricity costs. The 3 canceled corridors include the Lake Erie-Canada corridor, the Southwestern Grid Connector Corridor, and the Tribal Energy Access corridor. While Wright said the current designation framework had proven ineffective, DOE’s National Transmission Needs Study from July said that NIETC designation enables DOE and FERC to use valuable federal financing and permitting tools to speed up construction or modification of transmission facilities within a NIETC.

[1] https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-secretary-announces-cancellation-three-proposed-national-interest-electric?_sp=92451edb-066e-47f9-8b61-5b5595943270.1786998593960

[2] https://www.energy.gov/documents/national-transmission-needs-study-draft-july-2026

[USA] PJM reviews large load reliability requirements after load trips offline

As of August 11, 2026, PJM is evaluating potential alterations to interconnection reliability requirements for computational loads, such as data centers and crypto-mining facilities. [1] The grid operator intends to consider ride-through standards and other requirements after almost 3,800 MW of data center load tripped offline unexpectedly in Virginia – the largest such event in PJM’s history. [2] It was triggered by a fault on a 230-kV line in Dominion Energy’s zone, causing a high imbalance between generation and load and large swings in voltage and frequency. Once the fault was removed from the system, data centers in the Dominion Energy zone disconnected from the grid, causing the spikes in voltage. This is when the first load drop of 2,970 MW took place. When the first large loads transferred to backup generation, the loss of the loads caused high system voltage disturbances, which resulted in a second wave of 1,099 MW of data centers disconnected. PJM recovered the Balancing Authority Area Control Error Limit – a measure of the imbalance between sources and uses of power – within 9 minutes, and then dispatched reactive power sources to lower the system’s voltage. The issue was discussed at an August 6, 2026, PJM Operating Committee meeting, where PJM staff asserted that data centers may be too sensitive to grid conditions. As a result, PJM is evaluating the possibility of expanding reliability requirements, with consideration for existing and future ride-through standards and practices.

[1] https://insidelines.pjm.com/pjm-dominion-review-large-load-transfer-event/?_sp=92451edb-066e-47f9-8b61-5b5595943270.1786627592216

[2] https://www.pjm.com/-/media/DotCom/committees-groups/committees/oc/2026/20260806/20260806-item-05---dominion-july-loss-of-load-event---presentation.pdf?_sp=92451edb-066e-47f9-8b61-5b5595943270.1786628311952

[USA] Court blocks Trump administration freeze on wind energy

As of August 7, 2026, a federal judge in Oregon ordered the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to resume national security reviews for onshore wind projects, blocking the Trump administration's indefinite freeze on the permitting process. [1] The injunction came after renewable energy groups argued the DoD had unlawfully halted required reviews, delaying more than 100 wind projects across 25 states representing an estimated $47 billion in investment and 120,000 jobs. The ruling restores a key step in the development pipeline for new wind projects by requiring the DoD to restart reviewing whether proposed projects pose national security risks. While the decision does not automatically approve projects, it allows permitting to move forward after months of uncertainty. The court also found the freeze had already caused billions of dollars in economic harm and threatened developers' ability to qualify for federal tax credits tied to construction timelines. By restarting the review process, the ruling provides greater certainty for wind developers and could help bring additional electricity supply online.

[1] https://library.edf.org/AssetLink/p36mx0xf6451v1ki8546qv7ve8ft73o1.pdf?_gl=1*1gqir8a*_gcl_au*MzYwMjc5MTkwLjE3ODYxMTE0Njk.*_ga*ODU2ODM2NjQyLjE3ODYxMTE0Njk.*_ga_2B3856Y9QW*czE3ODYxMTE0NjgkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODYxMTE0NzAkajU4JGwwJGgw

[USA] Texas data center moratorium risks delaying 20% of US pipeline

As of August 3, 2026, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, R, implemented a pause on Texas data center grid connections, which, according to Bloomberg NEF, put almost 20% of the total US data center pipeline worth about 49.8 GW at risk of delay. [1] Abbott called for an audit of all data centers in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), leading the grid operator to delay its review to the first set of projects to navigate the state’s new large load interconnection process. [2] As a result, data center revenue losses could reach up to $8 billion by the first quarter of 2027 assuming that 60% of delayed capacity is AI-related. [3] Governor Abbott stated that the total ERCOT interconnection queue requests are worth 474 GW and 90% of new power requests are data centers. The audit will examine if data centers are providing their own power or relying on the grid; their use of water; and which data centers are utilizing state or federal assistance such as tax incentives, grants or abatements. The Texas moratorium follows that of New York, which halted new data center approvals for up to one year.

[1] https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-announces-qts-data-centers-will-meet-texas-standards

[2] https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/Thomas_Gleeson_Pablo_Vegas_Data_Centers_Directive_Letter_to_PUCT_ERCOT_August_2026_.pdf?_sp=92451edb-066e-47f9-8b61-5b5595943270.1786051909158

[3] https://www.utilitydive.com/news/texas-data-center-pause-puts-us-pipeline-risk-of-delay-bnef/827185/

[USA] DOE considers changing Biden-era transformer rule

As of June 15, 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a request for information signaling it is considering revisions to the Biden administration’s 2024 energy efficiency standards for distribution transformers, reopening debate over rules that utilities and manufacturers had largely accepted after earlier revisions. [1] The review seeks feedback on whether the standards could increase transformer costs, affect manufacturing capacity, alter contract terms for utilities, or exacerbate ongoing supply shortages as electricity demand rises from data centers, electrification, and grid expansion. [2] Utility groups have expressed concern that reopening the rule could create regulatory uncertainty just as manufacturers are investing to comply with the existing standards and expand domestic production, potentially delaying procurement of critical grid equipment needed to connect new generation and large electricity loads. The DOE’s review is part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to reassess Biden-era energy efficiency regulations while balancing grid reliability, supply chain resilience, and the growing need for distribution infrastructure to support increasing electricity demand.

[1] https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/15/2026-11971/energy-conservation-program-energy-conservation-standards-for-distribution-transformers

[2] https://www.energy.gov/articles/trump-administration-moves-permanently-end-green-new-scam-appliance-mandates?_sp=4acccc8c-16ad-42b8-a5e3-528b9421e49f

[USA] Texas approves data center co-location with wind farm with curtailment limits

As of July 24, 2026, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) approved a net metering arrangement for a 260-MW AI data center that is co-located with a wind farm of the same capacity. [1] The data center is the second one planned for that site, and the developer argued that it should not be subject to the same curtailment rules as the first since the total load of both, 525 MW, exceeds the generation resource’s capacity of 265.5 MW. The case could serve as a template for other co-located loads in Texas, where bill SB6 became law in 2025, establishing new rules for large loads in the Electricity Reliability Council of Texas’ (ERCOT) territory and giving the grid operator the authority to disconnect data centers during grid emergencies. The PUCT rejected the data center developer’s argument, ruling that the data center must be capable of curtailing its full load within 30 minutes during grid emergencies, with physical breaker disconnection if necessary. It is also banned from participating in paid demand response programs in the arrangement. This means that the decision requires the data center to operate with greater flexibility than a traditional industrial load, stating that ERCOT should provide 60 minutes of advance notice when “practicable,” while allowing the operator to voluntarily commit to a faster 10-minute response.

[1] https://interchange.puc.texas.gov/search/documents/?controlNumber=59220&itemNumber=69&_sp=92451edb-066e-47f9-8b61-5b5595943270.1785764187842

[USA] Data centers in Pennsylvania face increased oversight

As of July 12, 2026, Pennsylvania enacted new reporting requirements for data centers and electricity demand forecasting as part of its 2026–2027 state budget. [1] Under the law, data centers with peak electric demand of 10 MW or more must annually report their electricity and water use, projected future energy demand, and any on-site or off-site energy generation measures. [2] Data centers that fail to comply face fines of $10,000 per day, and the state Department of Environmental Protection will publish annual reports on statewide data center energy and water consumption trends. The legislation aims to improve oversight as electricity demand grows alongside rapid data center development in Pennsylvania. It also authorizes the PUC to review and validate utility load forecasts submitted to PJM, coordinate with PJM and other regulators to improve forecasting accuracy, and help prevent duplicate counting of proposed projects, reflecting broader state concerns about grid planning and demand projections.

[1] https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/text/PDF/2025/0/SB0146/PN1888?_sp=92451edb-066e-47f9-8b61-5b5595943270.1784298010019

[2] https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/text/PDF/2025/0/HB1924/PN2545?_sp=92451edb-066e-47f9-8b61-5b5595943270.1784298019890

[USA] PJM capacity prices reach price cap

As of July 14, 2026, PJM Interconnection announced that its capacity auction for the 2028–2029 delivery year cleared at the $325/MW-day price cap, reflecting continued tight electricity supply and demand across the region. [1] The auction resulted in a 6.8 GW shortfall below PJM's reserve margin target, slightly larger than the previous auction, while attracting only about 525 MW of new resources. PJM stated that a roughly 2 GW increase in forecast demand, driven largely by data center development, contributed to the outcome and said it is preparing market reforms, including a backstop capacity auction and a "connect and manage" framework for large new loads. Stakeholders expressed differing views on the results, with some arguing the current market design does not sufficiently encourage new generation or demand response, while others called for reforms to accelerate permitting, interconnection, transmission expansion, and cost allocation for large electricity users.

[1] https://www.pjm.com/-/media/DotCom/markets-ops/rpm/rpm-auction-info/2028-2029/2028-2029-bra-results-report.pdf?_sp=92451edb-066e-47f9-8b61-5b5595943270.1784297873214

[Japan] METI White paper on international economy and trade 2026

As of June 30, 2026, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) released the 2026 White Paper on International Economy and Trade and the International Trade and Economic Strategy 2026, outlining Japan’s approach to strengthening economic resilience amid rising global uncertainty. [1] The strategy identifies supply-chain diversification and stronger ties with emerging economies as priorities, particularly because these markets are increasingly important sources of critical minerals and resources. METI also highlighted energy supply resilience as a key policy area, calling for stronger cooperation between oil-producing and consuming countries, expanded supply chains, and strategic investment to improve energy security. The strategy specifically references using the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) and Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience Asia (POWERR Asia) frameworks to connect Asia and the Middle East and promote more resilient energy markets. METI also emphasized the importance of maintaining stable access to energy and resources while advancing decarbonization efforts through international cooperation. The strategy further identifies technology development, digital transformation, and innovation as areas where Japan can strengthen industrial competitiveness and address emerging economic challenges.

[1] https://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2026/0630_001.html

[USA] Sen. King urges FERC to block NextEra and Dominion Energy merger

As of June 23, 2026, in a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, urged the agency to reject a planned merger between NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy, saying that NextEra engaged in anticompetitive behavior that hurt consumers. [1] He asserted that the combination would create “the largest electric utility in the United States, concentrating an unprecedented mix of merchant generation, rate-based generation, and transmission assets in the hands of a single company” that has a documented record of “using its market position…to suppress competition that threatens its merchant revenues.” The planned $67 billion merger would give the combined company 110 GW of generation and 10 million utility accounts in Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. King contends that NextEra’s efforts to block the New England Clean Energy Connect project in 2021 is proof that the merger would harm ratepayers. He also cited NextEra’s recent agreement to pay $150 million to settle shareholder allegations that the company made misleading statements about its involvement in political interference schemes in Florida. He asserted that 3 features of the deal should be closely reviewed, since it would lead to a high concentration of merchant generation alongside rate-regulated power supplies.

[1] https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?accession_number=20260629-4000&optimized=false&sid=36d32390-304d-4b6d-95b4-a333a0b0e86f

[USA] FERC declines waiver for $2B gas-fired plant in PJM’s fast-track review

As of July 2, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) rejected a request for a waiver from certain PJM Interconnection rules for a $2 billion gas-fired project from PJM’s fast-track Reliability Resource Initiative (RRI) interconnection review process. FERC maintained that granting the waiver for the project would harm third parties by delaying PJM’s review of other grid interconnection requests, including those in its RRI. [1] The RRI process was designed for shovel-ready projects that could meet near-term reliability needs, initially having 51 projects totaling 11.8 GW. It barred changes to a project’s size and capacity interconnection rights. The company implementing the project, Advanced Power, hit an equipment supply hurdle when it was unable to acquire a turbine, which is why it requested a waiver to use alternate turbines and reduce the project’s maximum output by 55 MW and reduce its capacity interconnection rights. In the decision, FERC agreed with PJM that allowing Advanced Power to reconfigure its project could lead to interconnection review delays.

[1] https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?accession_number=20260702-3059&optimized=false

[USA] DOE releases emergency order for PJM during extreme heat

As of June 30, 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act to support grid reliability in the PJM Interconnection region amid extreme heat-driven electricity demand. [1] According to the official DOE announcement, the emergency declaration was prompted by forecasted peak load conditions reaching above 160,000 megawatts, creating heightened risk of supply shortfalls during the highest-demand hours. The order temporarily authorizes operational measures intended to maintain sufficient electricity supply, including flexibility for generation resources to operate under emergency conditions to ensure system stability. The action reflects ongoing stress on the bulk power system driven by high temperatures and rising electricity demand, reinforcing the need for adequate resource availability and operational coordination to maintain reliability during peak conditions.

[1] https://www.energy.gov/ceser/federal-power-act-section-202c-pjm-interconnection-llc-pjm-order-no-202-26-32

[USA} PUCT approves ERCOT’s Batch Zero process for connecting large electricity users

As of June 18, 2026, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) approved rules for the state’s grid operator to process large load interconnection requests, including data centers. [1] The first set of projects to navigate the new process is called “Batch Zero.” The Electric Reliability Council of Texas is tracking over 438 GW of large-load requests, and almost 90% are from data centers. Under the framework, ERCOT will look at batches of projects that are 75 MW or larger in a single study to “assess the full picture of future electricity demand at once.” The grid operator stated that the principles established through the Batch Zero framework will be the basis for an ongoing, comprehensive transformation planning process, which includes provisions for large loads to develop their own generation on-site. The process creates a path to interconnect large load customers that agree to let ERCOT curtail their power use in response to local constraints.

[1] https://www.ercot.com/news/release/06182026-puct-approves-ercots

[USA] Energy Department proposes $17.5 billion in loans for nuclear supply chain

As of June 23, 2026, the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Dominance Financing (EDF) issued a conditional loan commitment to finance the purchase of long-lead time items needed to rebuild the commercial nuclear supply chain. The $17.5 billion nuclear supply chain loans will help fund 5 eligible projects sponsored by utilities and energy companies nationwide to accelerate the deployment of 10 large-scale commercial nuclear reactors across the nation by up to 3 years. The project supports the objective of President Trump’s executive order “Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base” by readying 10 new large reactors with complete designs under construction by 2030. According to Energy Secretary Chris Wright, the loans will help accelerate the timeline to build large-scale commercial reactors by up to 3 years. EDF financing will support up to five loans, with each loan supporting two reactors per project site. Each of the 10 reactors will generate 1.1 GW of power.

[1] https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-announces-american-nuclear-supply-chain-loans

[USA] Largest wind farm in US begins operations

As of June 12, 2026, the SunZia Wind Project in New Mexico has begun commercial operations, becoming the largest wind farm in the United States. [1] The project has 3,650 MW of generating capacity from 916 turbines, more than tripling the size of the next two largest U.S. wind farms. Developed by Pattern Energy, SunZia was nearly two decades in the making and is paired with a 550-mile transmission line that delivers electricity from New Mexico to Arizona and California. The project nearly doubles New Mexico's wind capacity, increasing wind's share of the state's generating capacity to 45%. Most of SunZia's electricity will be exported to western markets, helping support growing regional demand for renewable energy. Shortly after the project came online, California recorded a new hourly wind generation record, highlighting the growing impact of large-scale wind development in the western United States.

[1] https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=67766

[USA] Solar overtakes coal generation in US for the first time

As of June 10, 2026, solar overtook coal generation in the US electricity mix in May 2026, according to monthly and preliminary hourly generation data analyzed by think tank Ember. [1] Solar supplies a record 12.8% of US electricity, while coal fell to 12.2%, its fourth-lowest recorded monthly share. Solar generated an all-time high of 45.5 TWh in May 2026, exceeding May 2025 by 17% and surpassing a record set in July 2025. Coal generation hit an all-time monthly low of 39.3 TWh in April 2026. The overall share of coal generation in the US has nearly halved in the last five years, falling from 19.7% in May 2021 to 12.2% in May 2026. In contrast, solar power’s share of the mix more than doubled from 5.4% to 12.8% over the same period. This record succeeds another clean power milestone from March 2026, when renewables collectively generated more electricity than gas for the first time in the US. Together, these records underscore the growth of clean power in the US electricity mix despite the current policy environment.

[1] https://ember-energy.org/latest-updates/solar-overtakes-coal-in-us-electricity-for-the-first-month-on-record/

[USA] Constellation’s restart of Three Mile Island receives FERC waiver

As of June 4, 2026, federal regulators gave a significant boost to Constellation Energy’s effort to restart the former Three Mile Island Unit 1 reactor, now renamed the Crane Clean Energy Center. [1] The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved a waiver allowing Constellation to transfer grid interconnection rights from its retiring Eddystone fossil-fuel plant to the nuclear facility. Without the waiver, delayed transmission upgrades in the PJM region could have prevented the plant from fully delivering power until 2030–2031, jeopardizing Constellation’s target to restart the reactor in the second half of 2027. FERC concluded that the waiver addressed a concrete reliability problem and met the agency’s standards for granting relief. Under the decision, Constellation will be able to transfer 760 MW of Capacity Interconnection Rights (CIRs) from the Eddystone plant to Crane, increasing the amount of electricity the nuclear unit can deliver to the grid. Constellation has a 20-year deal to sell all the energy, capacity, and clean energy attributes from the nuclear unit to Microsoft for data centers across PJM’s Mid-Atlantic and Midwest footprint.

[1] https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?accession_number=20260601-3068&optimized=false&sid=29b76986-c085-4b0d-a7ad-96651646f47a