Data centers could cost NC consumers $50B by 2050, Gov. Stein’s office estimates
A report from Gov. Josh Stein's Energy Policy Task Force estimates that data center-driven power demand could cost North Carolina consumers $50 billion by 2050 and raise electricity bills by 70% over the next 15 years. The report urges stronger requirements for data centers to pay for grid upgrades and use clean energy, while the N.C. Utilities Commission considers Duke Energy's proposed large load tariff.
A report released by Gov. Josh Stein's Energy Policy Task Force estimates that large energy users, particularly data centers, will account for about 80% of North Carolina's new electricity demand over the next 25 years. The resulting investments in power plants, transmission lines and other infrastructure could cost consumers $50 billion by 2050, with household electricity bills potentially rising 70% over the next 15 years if policy does not change.
The report supports requiring data centers to cover the costs of the grid upgrades they drive and encourages clean-energy development. Duke Energy worked with data center developers including Amazon and Google on a proposed large load tariff, which the N.C. Utilities Commission is expected to consider in the coming weeks. Stein and Attorney General Jeff Jackson said the proposal needs stronger customer protections and incentives for data centers to provide or fund clean energy, while environmental groups urged more aggressive action to limit fossil-fuel expansion.