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Power lines and transmission towers near the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California, U.S., on Saturday, Feb. 19. 2022.

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Artificial intelligence could strain the U.S. electric grid, as power demand from data centers is poised to surge in the coming decade just as supply is falling due to the rapid retirement of coal-fired plants.

Data centers in the U.S. alone could consume as much electricity as some major industrialized economies produce by 2030, as they proliferate not just in number but also in the scale of their power needs.

The computer warehouses that power the Internet and increasingly AI could require up to 400 terawatt hours of electricity by 2030, according to an August report from Mizuho Securities.

That’s more than the total electricity production of the United Kingdom in 2022, according to data from the International Energy Agency.

Data center developers are knocking at the door of the nation’s utilities at the same time many of these power companies are retiring coal plants as part of the transition away from fossil fuels. But the waiting list to bring clean energy, primarily solar and wind, onto the grid to replace coal is long and renewables are less reliable.

PJM Interconnection, the largest grid operator in the U.S., warned in July that the reliability of the system is a growing concern as coal plants close faster than new power generation is built.

PJM serves 13 states primarily in the Mid-Atlantic region, including northern Virginia, the largest data center market in the world. Resources in areas of Virginia are insufficient and the transmission system is constrained, limiting the ability to import power from elsewhere, according to PJM.

Yet data center “growth is accelerating in orders of magnitude, driven by the number of requests, the size of each facility and the acceleration of each facility’s ramp schedule to reach full capacity,” Dominion Energy CEO Robert Blue told investors on the company’s earnings call on Aug. 1.

Electrification of economy

In addition to data centers, manufacturing is returning to the U.S. and the broader economy is electrifying. Recent auction prices to bring new power capacity to the PJM power pool have surged more than 800% as a consequence of rising demand and limited supply.

“The market has already made one transition from coal to gas,” Susan Buehler, a spokesperson for PJM, told CNBC. “We see this energy transition is here. We just see that the forces around it are happening faster than the renewable energy transition is happening.”

“So we see a potential gap, and that’s what the market is signaling,” Buehler said.

PJM has forecast that electricity demand surge will surge nearly 40% by 2039 in its 369,000-square mile service area. Meanwhile, 40 gigawatts of existing power generation is at risk of retirement by 2030, or about 21% of PJM’s current installed capacity.

While there are 290 gigawatts of renewable projects waiting to get connected to the grid, in the past only about 5% of such projects have actually been built, according to PJM.

About 38 gigawatts of renewable energy have been approved for connection and another 72 gigawatts are coming in the first quarter of 2025, Buehler said, but the projects are not being built quickly enough due the challenges developers are facing on the ground.

Buehler said developers “can’t get their projects sited, there are supply chain delays, and there are financing issues.”

Step-change in investment needed

Utilities that operate in PJM have disclosed at least 50 gigawatts of potential data center demand during their recent earnings calls, though CEOs have cautioned there could be some duplication in the numbers.

About 29% of current data center electricity demand in the U.S. is located within PJM’s territory, according to Mizuho. Some 25% of data center power demand in the nation is in Virginia.

American Electric Power, one of the largest electric utilities in the U.S., has commitments for more than 15 gigawatts of demand from data centers through the end of the decade, interim CEO Benjamin Fowke told investors on the company’s second-quarter earnings call earlier last month.

That level of demand is equivalent to more than 40% of the peak electric load of 35 gigawatts across AEP’s entire system at the end of last year, according to Fowke. AEP serves 5.6 million customers in 11 states in the Midwest and South.

“These are far from just inquiries,” Fowke told investors. “These are serious customers that want to get on the grid and are willing to financially commit to do what it takes to get on the grid.”

Fowke testified to Congress in May that demand for electricity in some parts of the U.S. is already outstripping available capacity on the grid. The former CEO of Xcel Energy said that requests from large customers would more than double the current peak demand on the utility’s system.

“It took over 100 years of planning and building to create our current system, and a step-change in infrastructure investment on an accelerated timeline will be required to serve even a fraction of this future demand in a reliable manner,” Fowke told the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

The cost of building new infrastructure to meet the demand is expected to reach hundreds of billions of dollars, Fowke said.

In the past, a large manufacturing facility might need 100 megawatts of electricity — equivalent to about 100,000 homes, Fowke told Congress. It is now increasingly common for a single data center to need anywhere from three to 15 times that amount of power, the CEO said.

Dominion Energy regularly gets requests to support data center campuses that require as much as several gigawatts of power, Blue said in May. That’s larger than the average capacity of a nuclear reactor in the U.S.

Going around the grid

One of the many challenges in connecting this kind of demand to the grid is that it can take up to a decade to decide the exact route a transmission line will take, get the necessary permits and build it, Edison Electric Institute senior vice president for customer solutions Phil Dion told Congress in June.

As a result, tech companies that are building data centers are increasingly looking at directly connecting their facilities to large power resources, such as nuclear plants, rather than waiting to access the grid. But that approach is already facing controversy.

Amazon Web Services purchased a data center campus in March from Talen Energy for $650 million that will be powered directly by the Susquehanna nuclear plant in Pennsylvania. It was viewed by some in the industry as a landmark agreement that could pave the way for more nuclear-powered data centers.

But AEP has challenged the agreement before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, warning that such arrangements could further constrain supply on the electric grid.

Constellation Energy CEO Joe Dominguez told investors earlier this month that hooking data centers directly to nuclear reactors is the fastest and most cost effective solution. Constellation operates the largest portfolio of nuclear plants in the U.S.

“The notion that you could accumulate enough power somewhere on the grid to power a gigawatt data center is frankly laughable to me,” Dominguez said on Constellation’s August earnings call.

Utility executives have warned that failure to meet rising demand from data centers could affect the entire U.S. economy.

“If I can’t get that power capacity online, I cannot do the data center. I cannot do the manufacturing. I can’t grow the core businesses of some of the largest corporations in the country,” Petter Skantze, vice president of infrastructure development at NextEra Energy Resources, the renewable energy unit of NextEra Energy, said at a conference in New York City in June.

“The stakes are really, really high,” Skantze said. “This is a new environment. We have to get this right.”

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Segway ZT3 Pro smart all-terrain e-scooter at $915 (Save $385), Anker SOLIX C300 DC power station $160, Greenworks, DEWALT, more

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June 17, 2025

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Segway ZT3 Pro smart all-terrain e-scooter at 5 (Save 5), Anker SOLIX C300 DC power station 0, Greenworks, DEWALT, more

Leading today’s Green Deals is the best post-launch pricing we’ve seen on the Segway ZT3 Pro eKickScooter with smart features like Apple Find My, proximity locking, and more, down at $915. Right behind it, we have Anker’s SOLIX C300 DC 90,000mAh Portable Power Station undercutting the brand’s current sale pricing at $170, as well as its AC and bundle variants. There are also two Greenworks deals today, the first being on the brand’s 24V 12-inch Cordless Compact Chainsaw for $130, while the 40V 25-inch Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower is coming along with two 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port rapid charger at $525. Lastly, for folks who rely on DEWALT tools, you can score the brand’s 20V Max 4-Port Rapid Charger at $168. Plus, there’s all the rest of the hangover Green Deals in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s extended EcoFlow Father’s Day Sale offers, the new exclusive low price we secured on the Bluetti AC180P power station, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Segway’s ZT3 Pro eKickScooter with smart features and a 43.5-mile range at best post-launch price of $915

Amazon is now offering the best post-launch pricing we’ve seen on the Segway ZT3 Pro eKickScooter at $914.99 shipped, which beats out the brand’s direct website pricing by $85. This model normally carries a $1,100 price tag at Amazon and a higher $1,300 MSRP direct from the brand. The discounts we’ve seen often keep things near or above $1,000, while there have been occasional falls lower, usually to $950, though there was a single short-lived drop to $920 back in March. Today’s deal is bringing a total 30% markdown off the MSRP, giving you $385 in savings off buying it directly from Segway for the best price we have tracked since its $900 preorder low back in September 2024.

Segway’s ZT3 Pro eKickScooter is an all-terrain cruiser that brings many smart features into your riding experience. To start, there’s a 1,600W brushless motor that dishes out enough torque to scoff at inclines up to 25% steep. With its 597Wh battery, which comes supported by the brand’s RideyLong tech that features an advanced controller algorithm to extend its travel capabilities “by up to 20%,” this model gives you up to 43.5 miles of travel on a single four-hour charge, with it able to max out at top speeds of 24.9 MPH. Speaking of the fast charging times, it’s even been designed with last-minute travels in mind, as just plugging it in for 30 minutes can get you back enough battery to travel 6.2 miles.

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Your safety and comfort have been taken into serious consideration with Segway’s ZT3 Pro eKickScooter, as it comes loaded with features to smooth out and give you more control than other models, including a full suspension frame – even having it sit six full inches off the ground for more clearance – as well as 11-inch tubeless tires for all-terrain adventure, and a Segride stability enhancement system paired alongside a traction control system. There’s even the smart features that include Apple Find My, proximity locking/unlocking, and more. You can get an even deeper rundown in our launch coverage here.

Anker SOLIX C300 DC Portable Power Station

Carry Anker’s SOLIX C300 DC power station with pop-up camping light for mobile device charging at $170

Anker’s official SOLIX Amazon storefront is undercutting its ongoing Father’s Day Sale pricing on the C300 DC Power Station at $169.99 shipped. Normally priced at $250, it’s mostly been dropping between $180 and $190 in the past three months, with the brand’s current sale only dropping costs to $190 through June 19. While we’ve seen it go as low as $140 in the past (last seen during 2024 Black Friday/Christmas sales), you’re looking at a 32% markdown here while the savings last, cutting $80 off the tag and dropping things to the fourth-lowest overall price we have tracked. Head below for more on this model and its counterparts that are also seeing discounts.

A totable companion for camping trips, road trips, and even at-home backup power for devices during outages, Anker’s SOLIX C300 DC power station is a compact and totable 90,000mAh/288Wh unit that delivers up to 300W charging speeds. Among its output options, you’ll have four USB-C ports (a 15W port, a 100W port, and the two 140W ports), two 12W USB-A ports, and a 120W auxiliary port to top off devices. You’ll have a few different means to recharge its battery including a wall outlet, with its 100W max solar input, or by utilizing the two bidirectional 140W USB-C ports at the same time for up to 280W speeds.

One notable carry-over feature from its 60,000mAh PowerCore Reserve predecessor is the integrated pop-up LED light that has three brightness levels to be used as a camping lantern or emergency light source. There’s also the usual array of smart controls available through its companion app, allowing you to monitor and adjust its settings via a Bluetooth connection, with readouts also shown on its display.

Anker’s other compact power station deals:

Be sure to also check out the ongoing Anker SOLIX Father’s Day Sale that is continuing through June 19, with up to 55% in initial discounts, along with three tiers of extra savings (3%, 5%, 7%) and free gear along with select purchases.

Greenworks 24V 12-inch cordless compact chainsaw

Cut through the storm cleanup this season with Greenworks’ 24V 12-inch cordless compact chainsaw at $130

Over at Amazon, you can pick up the Greenworks 24V 12-inch Cordless Compact Chainsaw for $129.99 shipped, with the price also matching directly from the brand’s website. Normally carrying a $190 price tag, it’s been more often returning to a $183 high at Amazon, while discounts have mostly kept costs above $140 until this month, when the savings have taken the price lower to $130. The deal here is the best we have tracked over the last 12 months, cutting $70 off the MSRP and giving you a more compact means to clean up after any upcoming storms.

We’re stepping into hurricane season, which means there will likely be plenty of cleanup ahead for folks in the southern portions of the country, and this Greenworks electric chainsaw will be ready to tackle any tree pruning, disposals, and the like. The 12-inch bar and chain comes supported by an automatic oiler, keeping it all lubricated and running smoothly, while the tensioning system allows you to keep it set at ideal levels without any extra tools being needed. You won’t have to wrestle with pull strings thanks to the push-button start, and the included 4.0Ah battery provides you with 85+ cuts on a single charge.

Greenworks 40V 25-inch Cordless Self-Propelled lawn mower

Cover 1/2 an acre with this Greenworks 40V 25-inch cordless self-propelled mower and two 4.0Ah batteries at $525

Amazon is offering the Greenworks 40V 25-inch Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower with two 4.0Ah batteries and dual-port rapid charger for $524.99 shipped. Normally fetching $700 at full price, we’ve only seen it returning to this same rate twice during 2025 so far. While we have seen it go as low as $450, which was last seen during Black Friday 2023, you’re otherwise looking at the second-best pricing at Amazon over the last 12 months and the lowest price we have tracked in 2025, saving you $175 off the going rate in the process, which is matching the price we’re seeing direct from the brand’s website.

With the two included 4.0Ah batteries, this 40V 25-inch Greenworks mower provides a 70-minute continuous runtime to tackle mowing for up to 1/2 an acre on a single charge, with the dual port rapid charger that’s accompanying the package getting them back to full at the same time. It’s been given a 25-inch steel deck for added durability, with its smart pace self-propelled system making maneuverability all the easier. There are seven cutting height levels to choose from here, as well as the 3-in-1 functionality for mulching, side discharging, and rear bagging. It operates at far lower noise levels than a gas model, so you won’t disturb neighbors at particular hours, and also sports the usual push button start.

DEWALT 20V Max 4-Port Rapid Charger

Keep up to four DEWALT batteries going with this 20V Max 4-port rapid charger at 168

Woot is offering the DEWALT 20V MAX 4-Port Rapid Charger for $167.99 shipped. Normally carrying a $309 price tag here, with it sitting at a higher $329 pricing at other retailers like Lowes and ACE, discounts can usually be seen dropping the costs between $185 and $238 on average. While we have seen it go as low as $153 in the past, you’re otherwise looking at one of the lowest prices we have recently tracked, giving you a sizeable $141 markdown off the going rate. It’s even beating out Amazon’s current pricing by $42.

A perfect addition for garages, shops, and jobsite kits that tend to rely on DEWALT equipment, you’ll be able to top off four of the brand’s 12V Max, 20V Max, and FLEXVOLT 20V/60V Max batteries simultaneously with this DEWALT 4-port charger. It delivers 8A charging speeds to each individual port, with it getting a 4.0Ah battery back to full in 40 minutes, while a 6.0Ah battery can be refilled in 60 minutes. It even comes with cord wraps for added organization, as well as through-holes should you wish to mount it to your wall or workbench.

Best Spring EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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Kempower’s 1.2 MW EV charger powers big trucks and cars at the same time

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June 17, 2025

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Kempower’s 1.2 MW EV charger powers big trucks and cars at the same time

Kempower
Image: Kempower

Kempower’s MORE Power fast and flexible charging solution is set to deliver megawatt-level charging to both electric trucks and cars, and it’s shipping from Finland.

Kempower is kicking off deliveries of its high-powered “MORE Power, MORE Plugs” EV charging solution from its factories in Lahti, Finland. The company made waves in April when it announced it would be the first DC fast charger maker to ship 1.2 megawatts (MW) of dynamically distributed charging power, and now it’s happening.

The new charging setup can feed that 1.2 MW across up to eight charging points, all controlled by Kempower’s smart power distribution system. That includes the company’s regular Satellite dispensers for passenger EVs—but now, Kempower is also offering a Mega Satellite option with a CCS2 connector that delivers up to 700 amps.

One dynamic system for cars and trucks

Here’s how it works: you can set up a charging hub with anywhere from one to seven charging points for passenger vehicles and add one ultra-high-powered 700A CCS2 connector for electric trucks. And the system isn’t static. It dynamically shifts power. So if there’s no truck plugged in, that full 1.2 MW can be distributed to cars. When a truck does show up, the system gives it priority and cranks up the juice.

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“Electric trucks are still relatively rare on the roads, but their numbers are expected to grow rapidly over the next few years,” said Jussi Vanhanen, Kempower’s chief market officer. “With MORE Power, charging providers can serve trucks today and scale up later as adoption grows.”

Existing Kempower chargers can be upgraded

If a provider already has a Kempower DC fast charging setup, they can upgrade to the 1.2 MW MORE Power configuration in terms of total power and the number of outputs. Kempower is also putting together a design guide to help customers and partners make the leap.

“There’s strong demand for practical know-how when it comes to site design and EV charging tech,” Vanhanen said. “Our guide will make it easier for everyone to plan and build charging hubs—helping speed up the shift to electric mobility.”

Kempower’s MORE Power comes with:

  • 1.2 MW charging capacity (that’s two 600 kW power units working together)
  • Up to 8 Kempower Satellite DC fast-charging points per system
  • Optional Mega Satellite with CCS2: 700 A continuous at 40C, 150–1,000 VDC
  • Dynamic power distribution between EVs and trucks
  • Retrofit-ready for existing Kempower charging systems
  • Fits just about anywhere: retail lots, fleet depots, ports, public stations
  • Supports simultaneous charging for cars and heavy-duty trucks

Kempower’s 1.2 MW charging units are ready to ship from Europe now, with North American deliveries coming soon after. The phased rollout is designed to ensure support and availability in every region as demand ramps up.

Read more: Kempower and Ziegler partner on EV fast charging for fleets

If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

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Kia is offering up to $12,500 off the EV9, but there’s a catch

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4 hours ago

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June 17, 2025

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Kia is offering up to ,500 off the EV9, but there's a catch

Kia-$12,500-off-EV9

With a new rebate, you can score up to $12,500 off the Kia EV9 right now. However, not all models are eligible for the promotion. Here’s how you can snag some savings.

Kia offers up to $12,500 off select 2026 EV9 models

Just as the 2025 model year sold out, 2026 Kia EV9 models are now arriving at dealerships across the US. Kia was offering generous discounts, including a $10,000 customer cash rebate or 0% APR financing, to make way for the 2026 models.

After Kia launched a new rebate, you can potentially save even more on the new model year. Kia is offering a $7,500 rebate on certain 2026 EV9 Light Long Range models.

Even better, it can be stacked with a $4,000 Customer Cash bonus, offered on every EV9 trim. Kia is also offering a $1,000 conquest bonus if you drive an EV or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) from a rival brand, for up to $12,500 in savings. That’s pretty significant at about 20% off MSRP.

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Kia-$12,500-off-EV9
2026 Kia EV9 (Source: Kia)

The $7,500 rebate only applies to select models, however. A company spokesperson confirmed with CarsDirect that only Model Code P4342, specifically the 2026 Kia EV9 Light Long Range trims with Option Groups 008 and 009, qualify.

Kia is offering a new rebate to compensate for some EV9 models losing eligibility for the federal EV tax credit. The discount, which is typically available when leasing, is now being offered on purchases as well. You may want to check with your local dealer to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Kia EV9 trim 2025MY price 2026MY price
EV9 Light Standard Range $54,900 $54,900
EV9 Light Long Range $59,900 $57,900
EV9 Wind $63,900 $63,900
EV9 Land $69,900 $68,900
EV9 GT-Line $73,900 $71,900
2025 and 2026 Kia EV9 price by trim

Despite the discounts, Hyundai’s new three-row electric SUV, the IONIQ 9, still appears to be a better deal this month, offering up to $13,000 in savings.

The 2026 Kia EV9 is available for lease at $429 per month for 36 months, with a $4,999 due at signing. Hyundai’s IONIQ 9 is available for lease at just $419 per month, also for 36 months with $4,999 due at signing. The IONIQ 9 also boasts more overall interior space than the EV9.

Ready to test one for yourself? We can help you get started. Check out our links below to find offers on Kia and Hyundai’s three-row electric SUVs at a dealer near you.

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