'How do you know what's real?': US utilities are making AI data centers prove they exist before handing over power connections — as 50% of planned buildouts are currently being delayed, stalled, or canceled

(Image credit: Microsoft)

US data center developers have requested 1,066GW of grid connections, but Wood Mackenzie expects utilities to commit to only about 28%

Utilities are demanding collateral, longer contracts, and study fees; Exelon's high-probability load fell from a whopping 18GW to 11GW once it insisted on the former

Because grid costs are shared, phantom demand risks landing on household bills, and nobody knows how much of it is real yet

US utilities and grid operators are now demanding higher…