Ensuring Cheap Power for Growing Data Centers Requires Policy Shift

An aerial photograph of a Digital Realty facility near a substation illustrates the scale of modern data centers, which now consume about 5% of the United States' electricity output. With AI applications accelerating, experts expect this share to double or even triple within a few years, a growth that the National Electrical Manufacturers Association warns could lift total power use by a substantial margin. While water usage has been highlighted elsewhere, the article stresses that electricity consumption is the genuine bottleneck.

Rather than hindering development, the author contends that policy should aim for an abundant electricity supply, which would enable data centers to operate more efficiently and potentially reduce rates. The argument frames the issue as a need for strategic energy planning rather than reactionary obstruction. By aligning energy policy with the projected surge in digital infrastructure, the nation could support technological advancement without compromising grid stability.