Data center load made up 9% of PJM wholesale costs so far in 2026: market monitor

An article from

Overall wholesale power costs in the PJM Interconnection jumped 46% to $56.7 billion so far this year, driven by rising energy and capacity costs, per the grid operator’s market monitor.

Published Aug. 27, 2026

Google’s SBP1 Data Center in Ashburn, Va. Existing and forecast data center load made up 9%, or $10.48/MWh, of the wholesale price of power in the PJM Interconnection through July this year, the grid operator’s independent market monitor said at an Aug. 24, 2026, meeting.

Diana DiGangi/Utility Dive