FERC orders a fast lane for data centre grid connections, but the electricity to fill them is another matter

https://media.thenextweb.com/2026/06/ferc-data-centre-grid-fast-lane-ai.avif

TL;DR

FERC ordered six major grid operators to fast-track data centre interconnections, but the directive does not address the underlying shortage of generating capacity. On the same day, the Trump administration paid $765 million to cancel offshore wind leases, deepening the supply gap.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Thursday ordered six major grid operators to fast-track interconnection requests from data centres and other large electricity users. Under the directive, approved unanimously, grid operators must demonstrate that data centres are “able to connect to the transmission system in a timely and orderly manner.”

Data centres will be responsible for paying the costs of their own interconnection. The commission also directed grid operators to consider “alternative transmission technologies,” a nod to startups developing solid-state transformers and superconducting transmission lines.

The queue problem

The orders address a bottleneck that has frustrated data centre developers and utilitiesacross the country. Grid connection requests...

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