New report shows growing certainty for incoming data centers in the Carolinas
A Duke Energy report indicates that firm contracts for prospective data center and other large-energy-user projects in the Carolinas now outnumber more tentative agreements. The commitments could require major grid upgrades and additional generation, even as local governments impose data center moratoria and lawmakers consider regulatory changes.
Duke Energy’s latest economic development filing shows that projects with binding contracts now exceed those in late-stage negotiations or covered only by preliminary agreements. The report includes data centers ranging from smaller facilities to potential hyperscale developments, although it does not identify specific developers or locations.
The filing strengthens Duke’s earlier forecast of rapidly rising electricity demand in the Carolinas. The utility may need to expand grid infrastructure, extend coal plant operations and build new natural-gas generation, while state legislators and local governments work to update regulations and some communities maintain moratoria on data center development.