Alberta Introduces New Rules for Data Centre Connections to the Electricity Grid Edmonton, Alberta – A new regulation issued by Alberta on June 9, 2026, establishes procedures for large data centres seeking access to the province’s electricity transmission grid. The Data Centre Regulation, enacted under the Electric Utilities Act, aims to balance economic development with

Lawmakers heard Substitute Senate Bill 5,982 to expand the Clean Energy Transformation Act's coverage to port districts that distribute electricity and to clarify when nonresidential customers become "affected market customers"; supporters said it preserves the integrity of Washington's 100% clean electricity goal while industry warned about unintended impacts on cogeneration and resource adequacy.

A recent investigation has shed light on the financial contributions of Louisiana utilities to two Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs), revealing that Southwestern Electric Power Company pays $14 million annually to the Southwest Power Pool, while other utilities and cooperatives collectively allocate $48 million to the Midcontinent Independent System Operator. These allocations have raised concerns regarding the allocation of ratepayer funds, particularly given the significant compensation packages for SPP's leadership, including a CEO who received $2.5 million in compensation and benefits in 2023.

A recent Texas law, SB 6, set to take effect in 2025, significantly updates the regulatory framework for large power consumers, particularly those using Behind-the-Meter or Front-of-Meter configurations, by increasing transparency, predictability, and financial accountability through stricter approval processes and reduced authority for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). The law requires detailed system studies, financial viability assessments, and disclosures about similar projects and backup generation capabilities, while also imposing new requirements on developers to ensure compliance with Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) rules and statutory thresholds.

Texas lawmakers are revisiting a bill designed to bolster the state's power grid resilience following its passage in the House. Senate Bill 6 aims to enhance the Electric Reliability Council of Texas's (ERCOT) authority over the electric generation and transmission infrastructure. A key provision within the bill would grant ERCOT the ability to curtail power to large electricity users during times of grid emergencies. This measure is intended to incentivize substantial power consumers, like data centers, to invest in their own backup power solutions. The bill now returns to the state Senate for consideration of changes made by the House.

Texas lawmakers have approved a measure designed to enhance the state's power grid resilience and prepare for escalating energy demands. The bill, now progressing back to the Senate for consideration of amendments made by the House, aims to bolster oversight of electricity generation and transmission and provide the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) with improved forecasting capabilities. Senate Bill 6 seeks to mitigate the likelihood of widespread power outages during periods of high demand. A key provision allows ERCOT to curtail power to major consumers, such as data centers, during emergencies. This incentivizes those facilities to develop their own backup power solutions, as explained by Representative Ken King. The bill recognizes the critical nature of uninterrupted power for operations like those supporting military activities. The legislation prioritizes four core objectives: equitable allocation of transmission costs, robust grid reliability measures, increased transparency and accuracy in load forecasting, and safeguarding residential customers from outages by distributing the responsibility for load shedding during shortages. ERCOT’s CEO has highlighted Texas’s burgeoning status as a destination for energy-intensive industries, including semiconductor plants and data centers, predicting a likely surpassing of the state’s previous peak demand record of 85,508 gigawatts. To accommodate this growth, the bill proposes streamlining the process for connecting large energy consumers to the grid, contingent upon their implementation of on-site backup power systems. Because the House and Senate have passed different versions of SB 6, further action is required. The Senate must either accept the House's changes or a conference committee will need to work toward a unified final version.

This ACER report enhances transparency and comparability in electricity network tariff setting by sharing national practices. It also examines and offers insights into various tariff challenges faced ...