A new Energy Department report is raising concerns about blackout risk if current utility plans continue while electricity demand keeps rising. The report warns that growth from AI data centers and increased electrification is putting added pressure on the grid at the same time many dependable power plants are scheduled to retire. While a large amount of new generation is expected to come online by 2030, much of it is not the kind of always-available power the grid depends on during periods of high demand. The report says that if those trends continue, outage risks could rise sharply in parts of the country.
Why This Matters:
When demand keeps growing and reliable power does not keep pace, blackout risk becomes more than just a grid issue. It is a practical reminder to make sure your household has backup power in place if grid strain leads to a greater risk of outages in the future.
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Source: Institute for Energy Research
