Overview
- State agencies project ComEd-area electricity demand will rise about 24% from 2025 to 2030, with Northern Illinois becoming a net importer from the PJM grid by 2030.
- The report identifies large data centers supporting artificial intelligence as the primary driver of the demand surge.
- Power costs in ComEd territory are forecast to climb from roughly $2.1 billion a year to $3.9 billion by 2030, and the Citizens Utility Board warns Chicago-area bills could rise up to $70 over the next three years because of data centers.
- Recommended near-term actions include deploying battery storage, upgrading transmission, promoting conservation, and considering limited new natural gas capacity as a bridge.
- A bill passed during the veto session would allow easing pollution-reduction mandates in shortage scenarios, the governor plans to sign recent energy legislation, and a separate law lifted the moratorium on building full nuclear reactors.