Data centers and mining could raise US power costs by 2030 ^{CEFR B1}

Researchers warn that continued growth of data centers and cryptocurrency mining could raise electricity prices and CO2 emissions in the United States by 2030. To study this, they estimated future demand from these facilities and used an energy system optimization model to find the least expensive ways to meet that demand while following current laws and regulations.

The model focused on power generation and examined supply and demand on an hourly basis across 26 regions covering the lower 48 states. Key findings show national electricity prices could rise on average by 6%–29%, with increases up to 57% in some areas. Carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation could grow by up to 28% by 2030 compared with a future with no data center growth.

Jeremiah Johnson of North Carolina State University noted that power demand was relatively flat for almost 20 years and that recent increases come largely from data centers and, to a lesser extent, cryptocurrency mining. The authors warn of uncertainty about the cost of new natural gas turbines and gas prices, and they urge regulators, utilities and government officials to make informed near-term decisions.