Largest US power grid may curb data center power to avert blackouts

The operator of the largest US power grid may impose temporary power cuts to data centers to help prevent blackouts, as the pace of data center construction has outstripped grid operators' ability to add generation capacity.

Why it matters: This is a concrete sign that AI-driven data center growth is now hitting hard grid capacity limits rather than just planning delays. It adds pressure on AI companies to slow builds, pay for priority power, or invest directly in generation, as some are already doing.