(The Center Square) – As Illinois continues to allow data centers to set up shop in the state, the stress on the power grid is coming into question.
A data center is a space used to house computer systems and associated equipment, such as telecommunications and storage systems. Data centers can vary widely in terms of size, power requirements, redundancy and overall structure.
There are over 200 data centers in the state, with almost three-fourths located in the Chicago area. The Pritzker Administration has committed to a path of clean energy, but there are concerns the power grid is not ready for data centers.
“Data centers are energy hogs and unless we as a state put strong protections in place, everyday electricity customers are going to end up paying more,” said Sarah Moskowitz, executive director of the Citizens Utility Board.
Moskowitz favors requiring data centers to produce 100% of the power needed to run their facilities, preferably clean energy power.
State Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago, said over-governing data centers may cause some companies to set up shop elsewhere.
“If we put too many restrictions in place, do we run the risk of driving this inevitable development over the border where there’s going to be much less environmental restrictions,” said Cunningham.
State Sen. Steve Stadelman, D-Rockford, has introduced legislation that would require data centers to report their annual water and energy consumption to the Illinois Power Agency.
The United States is currently the leader in data center infrastructure, hosting over 5,000 data centers as of March 2024, the highest number of any country worldwide.
