California Energy Commission Raises Data Center Power Demand Projections to 15,000 MW
California energy regulators have raised their projections for data center electricity demand to 15,000 megawatts, reflecting a significant increase attributed to numerous projects in the inquiry stage. Pacific Gas and Electric's capacity requests rose from 12,000 megawatts in September to 15,000 megawatts by December, with executed agreements also surging from 2,000 to 4,000 megawatts. This shift suggests that California's electricity consumption could rise by over 50% by 2045, with an annual growth rate exceeding 4% by 2030.

California energy regulators have increased projections for data center electricity use, forecasting significant demand growth through midcentury. The California Energy Commission reported that Pacific Gas and Electric's (PG&E) requests for data center energy capacity rose from approximately 12,000 megawatts in September to about 15,000 megawatts by December.
This increase is attributed to projects in the 'inquiry' stage, which have not yet submitted formal applications. Additionally, PG&E's executed agreements for data center capacity surged from 2,000 megawatts to 4,000 megawatts. Following nearly two decades of stable electricity demand, regulators now estimate that California's electricity consumption could increase by over 50% by 2045, with an annual energy growth rate potentially exceeding 4% by 2030.




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