US data centers currently consume 4.4 percent of the nation’s electricity, but this figure is projected to rise to between 6.7 and 12 percent by 2028, data from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory shows. In several regions, demand already accounts for over 10 percent of total electricity usage and is projected to increase to as much as 40 percent in some areas, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation.

Meanwhile, grid interconnection timelines are stretching to five years nationally, and these delays are no longer limited to constrained regions. As a result, the industry is experiencing severe structural misalignment: AI infrastructure can be built in 18-24 months, while grid upgrades require between seven and 10 years.

This report, produced by DCD Intelligence, will detail the evolution of grid infrastructure in the US and examine the considerable influence of data centers in this area.