Data centers drive 76% power price surge

America's largest electrical grid, PJM Interconnection, experienced a 76% surge in wholesale electricity prices over the past year, reaching $136.53 per megawatt-hour. An independent monitor identified data centers as the primary driver of this dramatic increase due to their escalating demand. The report criticizes PJM's inadequate response and delayed infrastructure upgrades, stating the grid was not designed for the current needs of an AI-driven economy. This situation highlights a widening gap between the grid's capacity and industry requirements, with significant and potentially irreversible price impacts on customers.