Stromnetze unter Druck: 1.800 MW Lastabfall durch KI-Rechenzentren
Published on 07/03/2026 at 16:37 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and data centre capacity is creating serious risks for electricity grid stability, according to a major new reliability report. The findings come as the UK pushes ahead with sweeping planning reforms designed to accelerate the construction of nearly 100 new high-capacity facilities by 2030, raising urgent questions about how the national grid will cope with unprecedented and unpredictable power demands.
Gigawatt-Scale Load Losses Threaten Regional Grids
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) released its 2026 State of Reliability report on July 3, identifying a troubling pattern of sudden, large-scale load drops at data centres that have destabilised regional power networks. Analysis showed that approximately 1,800 megawatts (MW) were shed in February 2025, followed by a further 1,300 MW drop in June 2025.
In the ERCOT region alone, crypto-mining operations were responsible for nine separate load-loss events exceeding 100 MW each. Industry researchers attribute these fluctuations to customer-initiated load reductions, where equipment is unable to maintain operations during minor grid disturbances.
The sector's weighted forced outage rate reached 9.2% in 2025. In response, NERC has proposed a new regulatory category for managing computational loads and developed the PERC1 modelling standard to better predict these events.
UK Planning Overhaul Accelerates Data Centre Development
The UK government has implemented the Planning and Infrastructure Act as of July 2026, designed to fast-track the construction of critical facilities. The legislation removes mandatory pre-application consultations for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), a change expected to reduce planning timelines by up to 12 months.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed emphasised the administration's ambition to establish the UK as a global leader in infrastructure. The government projects that these reforms could save the industry £1 billion by August 2029.
Under the new regime, data centre developers can opt into the NSIP framework. Three major proposals — located at Wapseys Wood, Ampthill Road, and New Barn Lane — have already been directed into this streamlined process. The UK currently hosts 477 data centres, with plans to add nearly 100 more by 2030.
Major investments include a £10 billion AI data centre in Blyth by Blackstone, a £740 million Google facility in Hertfordshire, and a £330 million expansion by Microsoft.
Safety Systems Must Keep Pace with Growing Complexity
As facilities scale up in size and complexity, industry guidance published on July 3 underscored the critical importance of robust "Permit to Work" (PTW) systems. Under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, data centres must implement systems that clearly define the scope of electrical isolation, authority, and reinstatement procedures.
For sites involving multiple contractors, safety experts recommend appointing a single authority to manage all isolation statuses, preventing the risk of accidental re-energization.
Technical standards for power systems are also evolving. Compliance with IEC 61000-4-5 is increasingly required for surge and transient suppression. Engineers noted that protection is now essential at multiple levels, including the service entrance, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), generators, and power distribution units (PDUs). Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs) remain the primary tool for mitigating common-mode and normal-mode voltage surges.
Surge in Demand for Specialist Electrical Staff
The push for increased capacity has driven exceptionally high demand for specialised electrical personnel. Recent industry recruitment data shows that Electrical Construction Managers for European projects are commanding annual salaries between €100,000 and €110,000. In the United States, senior electrical project superintendents for hyperscale data centres are seeing compensation packages ranging from £165,000 to £230,000 per year.
To support the necessary grid connections, National Grid has identified a tier of preferred firms for substation works. The list includes BAM Nuttall, Costain, Laing O'Rourke, and Siemens Energy for major electrical and civil engineering lots. These firms will be responsible for upgrading the 400kV infrastructure required to link new high-density data centres to the national grid.
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