AI数据中心在美国电网容量拍卖中大幅推高成本，近期四次拍卖中这些设施增加了约290-300亿美元的电网投资需求，占总容量费用的约46%[1]。这笔成本最终转嫁到普通消费者账单上，其中PJM互连区域（覆盖美国东部主要地区）最近一次拍卖将在三年内增加63亿美元的消费者电费负担[1]。
不同州受影响程度差异明显[1]。伊利诺伊州电费达到约23.85¢/千瓦时，同比上升约28%；弗吉尼亚州达到约17.61¢/千瓦时，上升约15.4%；夏威夷州达到约52.00¢/千瓦时，上升约26.7%[1]。部分分析预测PJM地区某些区域消费者月度账单可能增加15-20美元[1]。数据中心目前消耗美国约4%的电力[1]。
为应对这一成本压力，27个州正推进立法要求数据中心资助电网扩展，其中加州、俄亥俄州和犹他州已经颁布相关法律[1]。此外，特朗普的《平价保护承诺》敦促科技公司承担能源成本，但该承诺缺乏法律强制力和执行机制[1]。
Artificial intelligence data centers have significantly increased electricity costs across the United States, with their infrastructure demands driving up capacity charges that are being passed directly to consumers. In recent grid capacity auctions, AI data centers added approximately $29–30 billion to overall electricity costs, representing about 46% of total capacity fees.[1] The PJM Interconnection region, which serves much of the Eastern United States, will see consumer bills rise by $6.3 billion over three years from a single recent auction, with some areas potentially facing monthly increases of $15–20.[1]
The impact varies significantly by region. Illinois experienced the highest rate increase at approximately 28%, bringing rates to roughly 23.85 cents per kilowatt-hour, while Virginia saw a 15.4% increase to 17.61 cents per kilowatt-hour.[1] Hawaii's rates climbed 26.7% to 52 cents per kilowatt-hour, while Georgia and Texas experienced more modest increases of 5.7% and 5.9% respectively, reaching 15.84 and 16.44 cents per kilowatt-hour.[1] Currently, data centers consume approximately 4% of total U.S. electricity.[1]
In response to rising costs, 27 states are advancing legislation requiring data centers to fund grid expansion themselves, with California, Ohio, and Utah already enacting such measures.[1] Additionally, President Trump's Affordable Protection Pledge has urged technology companies to assume energy costs, though this commitment lacks legal enforcement mechanisms.[1]