Reliability Standards for AI Data Centers, Crypto Miners Move Closer to Adoption
Data Center Knowledge, Thursday, October 15th, 2026
NERC stakeholders approved reliability standards for computational loads of 50 MW or more on 100 kV or higher lines.
NERC stakeholders approved new reliability standards for AI data centers, crypto mining sites and other large computational loads, which now go to the NERC board and then to FERC.
As written, they apply to loads of 50 MW or more connected at 100 kV or higher, and they follow a May Level 3 alert issued after data centers unexpectedly dropped load or oscillated demand, threatening regional grid stability.
Requirements cover interconnection studies and modeling, operational data and communications, and load protection coordination and disturbance monitoring.
NERC forecasts that summer peak demand will grow 224 GW over 10 years.