Utilities news covering electricity, power grids, energy providers, utility regulations, and power infrastructure developments.
Duke Energy CEO Harry Sideris forecasts power demand will grow at 10 times the historical rate, driven by AI data centers and electrification. He called the load growth in the past year unprecedented in his 30-year tenure.
The Gujarat state cabinet approved the Gujarat Wire-Free City Mission, aiming to convert all overhead power distribution to underground cables in all cities by 2030. The first phase, with a Rs 500 crore provision, will convert 11 kV overhead lines. Over 14,600 circuit km of high-tension and 31,400 circuit km of low-tension lines will be shifted underground across 17 municipal corporations and 151 municipalities.
The commentary argues that the utility industry faces a political reckoning as public frustration grows over rising costs and service reliability. It contends that this anger is bipartisan and could lead to significant regulatory changes, urging utilities to adapt to shifting political dynamics.
GE Vernova CEO Scott Strazik said at a conference that states are resisting data center projects and customers struggle to get approvals, causing the stock to fall up to 5% on May 27. Tariff uncertainty also freezes wind order flow. A bearish analyst report on May 28 questioned the company's AI-driven growth expectations.
This commentary argues that burying power lines is a costly but effective way to climate-proof the US electrical grid, using the example of northern Michigan's ice storm. It contends that utilities must balance cost and reliability, and suggests that undergrounding new lines is more feasible than retrofitting existing ones.
National Grid is hosting public information events in East Lindsey, Lincolnshire, to gather community feedback on the Eastern Green Link 5 electricity cable. The 585km subsea cable from Scotland to Anderby Creek will power about two million homes. Consultation runs until 24 July 2026.