Phantom Data Centers Skew U.S. Electricity Forecasts

A hidden wave of data center construction is disrupting America's electricity planning. Utilities and grid operators are struggling to track these projects, leading to inaccurate demand forecasts. These "phantom" data centers are large computing facilities planned in secret. Technology companies often negotiate directly with local power providers, bypassing public regulatory filings. This secrecy leaves regional grid planners unaware of upcoming massive energy loads. The issue is most acute in areas like Northern Virginia, a global data center hub. There, Dominion Energy has connected 75 data centers that never appeared in official grid planning forecasts. This has created a 3,000-megawatt gap—enough to power over two million homes—between planned and actual demand. Inaccurate forecasts threaten grid reliability and can delay the retirement of polluting power plants. Grid operators warn that without better visibility, they cannot ensure stable electricity supply during peak times. The industry now seeks new methods to track these stealth projects. Improved data sharing between local utilities and regional planners is essential for accurate forecasting and a reliable transition to clean energy.