ComEd power prices to stay elevated as data center demand grows near Joliet, consumer watchdog says
ComEd electricity prices are expected to remain historically high through spring as the Citizens Utility Board attributes rising capacity costs in part to growing data center demand. The Joliet City Council approved the 795-acre Joliet Technology Center, which could require about 1.8 gigawatts of power and has raised concerns about grid strain and utility bills.
ComEd customers in Joliet, Will County and the surrounding Southland are expected to continue paying elevated electricity prices through spring. The Citizens Utility Board said capacity costs driven partly by expanding data center demand are contributing to the increase, although ComEd says it passes supply costs through without a markup and that the Joliet project will not raise local electric bills.
The Joliet City Council approved the approximately 795-acre Joliet Technology Center in March, with construction of its first building expected in 2028. The proposed $20 billion facility could use roughly 1.8 gigawatts of electricity. CUB is urging Illinois lawmakers to advance the POWER Act, which would require data centers seeking uninterrupted service during peak demand to provide new clean power.