Transmission and distribution utilities and system operators
BOTTLENECKRegulated utilities and system operators are the sole gatekeepers to grid access, and interconnection queues now run three to five years in key markets.
Companies and agencies owning, operating, and balancing the high-voltage grid—the only path for new data centres to receive power. Interconnection queues now run 3-5 years in key markets. Utilities earn regulated returns on invested capital; system operators collect administrative fees.
Regulated entities owning, operating and planning the high-voltage grid, and the independent bodies dispatching and balancing it in real time; sole gatekeepers to grid access within each service territory.
What the evidence shows
Only 19% of projects seeking grid connection from 2000-2018 were built by end of 2023.
emp.lbl.govMedian interconnection wait time for projects built in 2023 was 5 years.
emp.lbl.gov549 GW of capacity has interconnection agreements but is not yet operational.
emp.lbl.govWho controls it
No named supplier is publicly confirmed for this node yet.
Where it sits in the stack
Takes in: Power at generator busbar
Sends on: Power at data-centre service entrance
Related nodes
Full scorecard, owner shares, supply edges and the full tracked roster are in the desk letter.
GET THE BRIEFING