According to the US Department of Energy, the country could face a doubling of blackouts by 2030 if coal and gas plant closures continue without replacements.
Warning on Power Grid Load
The Department of Energy warns that the US grid is not equipped for the increased electricity demand driven by the rise of artificial intelligence. Data centers are consuming more electricity than ever before. The warning highlights potential risks to economic growth and national security.
Trump Administration's Energy Position
The report, which reflects President Trump's energy agenda, claims that wind and solar are too unreliable to replace baseload fossil fuel generation. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that to avoid outages, the production of fossil fuels must increase, emphasizing that, 'If we are going to keep the lights on and win the AI race, the US must unleash American energy.'
State of Renewable Energy
The Department predicts that around 100 nuclear reactor equivalents will shut down by 2030, potentially causing significant outages when weather conditions do not support wind and solar generation. Meanwhile, solar energy accounted for 61% of new energy capacity last year, but the growth of this industry now faces major policy hurdles.
The new report suggests that the closure of coal and gas plants without adequate replacements could lead to a doubling of blackouts in the US by 2030, highlighting the need to reassess energy policy.
