The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved an expedited interconnection track (EIT) running through 2027 to accelerate the grid connection of power projects of at least 250 MW in the United States (PJM press release, 10/06/2026). The EIT, proposed by PJM Interconnection, a regional transmission organisation (RTO) part of the Eastern Interconnection grid, aims to bolster grid reliability as the RTO faces a potential 60 GW power shortfall over the next decade, driven by unprecedented electricity demand from data centres.
PJM expects to evaluate up to 10 expedited grid connection requests annually, with eligible projects needing to be backed by a pledge from the state’s primary sitting authority and thus aiming to begin operations within three years. Taking effect on 31 July 2026 and running through 2027, the track schedules selected developments to execute grid agreements within 10 months of submission.
By 2050, according to Enerdata’s Global Energy Research, data centres may represent 15 to 18% of electricity consumption in the US.
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