As data centers drive a power boom, North Carolina faces a costly question: Who pays?
News ClipWRAL·Chapel Hill, Orange County, NC·3/13/2026
North Carolina is facing questions over who will pay for the electricity infrastructure needed to power the surge of data centers and AI facilities being built in the state. Utility executives from several states discussed how they are responding to the rapid growth in electricity demand from these large technology companies, with Duke Energy noting it has about 6 gigawatts of data center demand in its development pipeline in the Carolinas. The state is still working to define the rules and processes for integrating this level of growth into the power grid.
electricity
North Carolina is grappling with the rising demand for electricity from data centers powering the artificial intelligence boom. Utilities are facing steep costs for new infrastructure like substations and power plants to meet this demand. Some states have implemented policies to prevent existing customers from subsidizing data center growth, but North Carolina is still working on its approach. Duke Energy expects data centers to account for 10% of its electricity sales by 2030, which could require building new power plants. Utilities are considering a mix of technologies like natural gas, batteries, and renewables to meet the rapid growth in demand. North Carolina's policy response is still evolving as the debate continues over who should pay for the necessary electricity infrastructure.