Exelon ‘high probability’ data center load falls 40%

Exelon, the utility company behind ComEd in Illinois and several Mid-Atlantic utilities, says the amount of "high probability" data center demand on its grid dropped nearly 40%, from 18 gigawatts at the end of last year to about 11 gigawatts now. The company credits this to new contracts called "transmission service agreements," which require data center developers to put up money and commitments upfront, weeding out speculative projects that were never likely to get built. One large project, an $20 billion, 1.8-gigawatt data center planned for Joliet, Illinois, had its agreement canceled.

This matters for homeowners because data centers are a big driver of rising electricity demand and, in some cases, rising bills. In New Jersey, Exelon's Atlantic City Electric told regulators that if a regional price cap on wholesale power costs is lifted after a December auction, the average residential customer could see monthly bills rise between $14.70 and $23.64. To help manage growing demand, Atlantic City Electric has proposed building a large battery storage system in Pittsgrove, New Jersey, which the utility says would not affect customer bills before 2035 at the earliest. Exelon utilities in Maryland are also pursuing smaller battery projects and expanding "virtual power plants," programs that pay homeowners to let utilities tap into home batteries, thermostats, or other devices during high-demand periods.

None of this points to an immediate action for homeowners, but it is worth watching if you live in Exelon territory, since it could affect future electricity rates and rebate programs tied to demand reduction.