Data center uncertainty is making power grid planning difficult, experts say - Oregon Public Broadcasting

The rapid expansion of power-hungry data centers in the Pacific Northwest, particularly in Oregon, is creating unprecedented uncertainty for regional energy planners and making it challenging to predict future electricity needs. According to an analysis by Energy + Environmental Economics (E3), the region could see data centers consuming 3 gigawatts of electricity by 2030, contributing to a projected 9-gigawatt energy gap across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. This gap could double to 18 gigawatts by 2035, potentially leading to grid instability and blackouts if new sources are not brought online. Elaine Hart, co-founder of Sylvan Energy Analytics in Portland, highlights the difficulty in developing robust plans given the wide range of data center energy demand forecasts. Her firm's independent study also predicted a significant energy gap, albeit potentially smaller than E3's, further emphasizing the planning challenge. Both studies point to the need for new energy sources and transmission lines, but a previous investigation by OPB and ProPublica found that the Bonneville Power Administration, which controls 75% of the region's grid, has a sluggish process for adding new transmission, hindering renewable energy development. Solutions proposed include building more renewable energy and implementing demand response programs, where data centers reduce power usage during peak times. Google has piloted such a program in The Dalles, Oregon. However, Hart believes state legislation will be necessary for widespread adoption. During Oregon’s short 2026 legislative session, bills aimed at grid solutions, such as balcony solar and virtual power plants, failed to reach Governor Tina Kotek's desk, leaving the path forward unclear for addressing the growing energy crisis.