ComEd Estimates $3.1 Billion Cost to Connect 30 Data Centers in Northern Illinois
ComEd estimates that connecting 30 data centers to its northern Illinois grid will require $3.1 billion in transmission and distribution infrastructure by 2031. Consumer advocates argue developers should pay the costs up front, while ComEd says deposits, lines of credit and long-term contracts will protect ratepayers from most potential losses.
ComEd estimates that infrastructure and system upgrades needed to connect 30 data centers to its northern Illinois grid could cost $3.1 billion by 2031. Developers have provided $721 million in deposits, while transmission security agreements guarantee another $1.1 billion in payments for certain projects. Consumer groups, including the Citizens Utility Board and the Environmental Law & Policy Center, warn that households and small businesses could otherwise absorb as much as $2 billion in costs.
ComEd disputes that analysis. Director of Economic and Workforce Development Max Leichtman said deposits may rise as projects mature and argued that remaining distribution costs would be allocated among large-user customers rather than all ratepayers. ComEd supports directly assigning project costs to individual data centers but opposes requiring developers to pay the full infrastructure cost up front. The Illinois Commerce Commission approved ComEd's transmission security agreement requirement in 2025, prompting some speculative projects to leave the utility's queue.