Massive Winter Energy Blackouts May Come Thanks to AI Data Centers and Their Energy Consumption

The Western Journal ^ | 11/23/2025 | Audrey Streb

[DFG]

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation reported Tuesday that winter electricity demand is increasing, especially in regions with high concentrations of artificial intelligence data centers.

NERC outlined in its 2025-2026 reliability report that “much of North America” is at risk of failing to meet demand in “extreme operating conditions.” Regions loaded with energy-hungry AI data centers face heightened outage risks during intense winter weather, according to NERC.

“Winter electricity demand is rising at the fastest rate in recent years, particularly in areas where data center development is occurring,” NERC said on Tuesday. “Although resources are adequate for normal winter peak demand, any prolonged, wide-area cold snaps will be challenging. This is largely due to rising electricity demand, which has grown by 20 GW since last winter, significantly outpacing winter on-peak capacity.”

Just four years ago, winter storm Uri devastated Texas and other parts of the South-Central U.S. along the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and Southwest Power Pool power grids. NERC Assessments and Performance Analysis Director John Moura said Tuesday that this coming winter resembles 2021 conditions.

“Electricity demand continues to grow faster than the resources being added to the grid, especially during the most extreme winter conditions where actual demand can topple forecasts by as much as 25 percent — as we saw in 2021 in ERCOT and SPP,” Moura said. “This latest assessment highlights progress on cold weather readiness but underscores that more work remains to ensure energy and fuel supplies can be reliably delivered even during the harshest conditions.”

NERC also noted that grids need to prepare for intermittent sources like solar and wind as well as natural gas generating less electricity during low-output periods and potentially severe cold snaps.

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TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: ai; blackouts; winterblackouts

[ProtectOurFreedom]

More windmills and solar cells!! That’ll do it.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

But cat, Karen, antifa, and ICE videos are worth a few blackouts!

[ken in texas]

Just task the AI with figuring a way to keep the power flowing. /sarc

[Carry_Okie]

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation reported Tuesday that winter electricity demand is increasing, especially in regions with high concentrations of artificial intelligence data centers.

Oh it just couldn't be because of leftist demands for electric heating in the name of reducing "climate change."

[Freedumb]

Just task the AI with figuring a way to keep the power flowing.

Maybe the AI can suggest that every human can be used as a giant battery.

[Libloather]

Can I slash my energy bill by cutting back on all AI?

[dforest]

We are already “battered” enough. 😏

[Georgia Girl 2]

This is our last winter depending soley on the grid for heat. Last winter we had an outage for a little over 24 hours and it was miserable. We were huddled in the living g room with a sheet takes up across the door to the rest of the house and a fire in our small fireplace. We have a small 5500 watt generator that ran lights and fridge.

The new house at our rural property is going to have a large woodstove and whole house generator.

[George from New England]

What state?

[George from New England]

Hmm ga i guess

[escapefromboston]

Let Ai figure out how to create a separate power source for their data centers

[ken in texas]

- Maybe the AI can suggest that every human can be used as a giant battery. -

That reminds me, I need to watch The Matrix again.

[Eli Kopter]

AI centers have been granted permission to generate their own electricity, so they won’t be on the grid.

[Georgia Girl 2]

N Georgia

[BipolarBob]

I’m thinking the AI will be on the priority list and the rural people will take it in the shorts again.

[whitney69]

Something had to use up the remainder of our weak electrical grid. AI just takes the blame.

wy69

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Yes, while creating a giant interactive simulation to keep us unaware of that fact.

[SaxxonWoods]

I think the hunger for AI power is the reason we are suddenly being told global warming isn’t a big deal anymore.

[CatOwner]

Thanks to the construction of AI data centers, a good deal of silicon processing is geared toward these data centers. As a result, costs for items like RAM and SSDs are going through the roof for PC builders (companies and individuals).