At Least 15 US Coal Plants Delay Retirement Due to Rising Electricity Demand and Data Centers
At least 15 coal plants in the U.S. have indefinitely delayed their retirements due to rising electricity demand from data centers, particularly those related to artificial intelligence. The U.S. Department of Energy has intervened to keep these facilities operational despite their significant carbon emissions, which in 2024 exceeded those of several states combined. Southern Company has announced extended retirement timelines for major coal plants in Georgia and Mississippi, now aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050.
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At least 15 coal plants in the U.S. have postponed planned retirements indefinitely since January, primarily due to increased electricity demand from high-powered data centers related to artificial intelligence (AI). The U.S.
Department of Energy has ordered some plants to remain operational despite environmental costs. These coal facilities, located from Maryland to Wyoming, emitted over 68 million tons of CO2 in 2024, exceeding the combined total emissions of Delaware, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.
Southern Company announced delays for two major coal plants in Georgia, extending retirement dates to 2039, while also citing data center growth as a reason. Similar delays occurred for a generator at the Victor J.
Daniel coal plant in Mississippi, with retirement pushed to the mid-2030s. Southern Company aims for net-zero emissions by 2050.
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