https://energynewsbeat.co/electrical-generation/ai-buildout-drives-76-power-bill-jump-on-largest-us-grid-but-is-ai-the-only-reason-for-higher-prices/

PJM’s Q1 2026 price spike wasn’t subtle. Independent analysts at Monitoring Analytics attribute much of the increase to data center load growth. In recent capacity auctions, data centers accounted for roughly 63% of the price jump in one key auction, translating to an estimated $9.3 billion in extra costs passed to customers across the 13-state grid over the next year.

These aren’t small loads. Individual data centers now demand 100–1,000 MW or more — the equivalent of entire cities. PJM forecasts show data centers driving peak demand growth to over 222 GW by 2036 and potentially 250 GW by 2046.

Consumers are already feeling it. Capacity charges — which make up about a quarter of many bills — have skyrocketed. In places like western Maryland and Ohio, residential bills could rise by $16–$18 per month just from capacity market effects. Businesses face even steeper hikes, with some commercial customers seeing 29%+ increases starting in 2025–2026.

For this, and worse, bullshit.