Morgan Stanley analysts report that data centers in the United States could face a power deficit of approximately 32 GW by 2028. This figure represents 34% of the total electricity supply required for these facilities to operate at full capacity.
The primary challenge stems from the mismatch between the rapid construction timelines of hyperscale AI projects and the slow pace of grid infrastructure development. Upgrading transmission lines and securing grid interconnections currently takes between four and seven years.
Regulatory bodies and government officials are now central to managing these energy constraints. In Texas, stakeholders are monitoring potential policy shifts from Governor Greg Abbott, the state legislature, and decisions from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and the Public Utility Commission.
Similar pressures are emerging in Louisiana, where observers are tracking potential legislative or executive actions from Governor Jeffrey M. Landry. These developments may signal whether states will impose moratoriums on new data center approvals to protect grid stability.
