Kentucky is planning ahead of data center power surge
Kentucky’s Energy Planning and Inventory Commission is developing statewide plans to manage the electricity, transmission and infrastructure demands associated with potential data center growth. The article argues that large-load customers should pay the costs they create and that Kentucky should preserve dependable generation while evaluating projects locally.
Kentucky is preparing for a potential surge in data center development by assessing how large, round-the-clock power loads could affect generation, transmission, rates and local infrastructure. Eric King, executive director of the Energy Planning and Inventory Commission, said the state should require major-load customers to provide upfront infrastructure payments, financial security and protections against stranded costs. East Kentucky Power Cooperative’s data center tariff was cited as one model.
The commission is developing the Kentucky Electricity Adequacy Plan to create a statewide assessment of demand, generation and transmission. The article urges Kentucky to preserve and modernize viable coal plants while adding new capacity, and says local officials and residents should determine whether individual proposals fit their communities. It also calls for federal agencies and Congress to support grid interconnections and dependable generation as data center demand grows.