AI and data centers are set to drive a massive surge in U.S. electricity demand, with usage expected to jump 4–5% per year through 2030 and data centers alone consuming up to 12% of total power.

US Power Boom Facing Unseen Bottlenecks 

Key topics discussed:

• AI and Data Centers Driving Demand: AI and cloud data centers are projected to dramatically increase U.S. electricity demand, with data centers expected to consume up to 12% of total power by 2028.
• Natural Gas as the Main Power Source: The majority of new electricity demand will be met by natural gas, not renewables or nuclear, due to speed and scale of deployment.
• Concentration in Key States: The surge in power demand will be concentrated in a handful of states, including Virginia, Texas, Ohio, and Arizona.
• Challenges for Renewable-Heavy States: States like California face soaring electricity prices, grid instability, and corporate outmigration due to aggressive renewable mandates.
• Global Energy Shifts: China and India are rapidly building both coal and nuclear plants, while Europe grapples with high energy costs and de-industrialization.
• Grid Infrastructure Constraints: Shortages of gas turbines, transformers, and skilled labor threaten to bottleneck grid expansion and reliability...