FERC Directs NERC Action on Data Center Reliability Standards, Presse…

FERC ordered NERC to develop reliability standards for data centers and large computational loads by year-end, with a March 2027 work plan deadline; separately directed SPP and CAISO to coordinate operations along their market seam ahead of Markets Plus and EDAM launches, and adopted new permitting categorical exclusions for hydropower projects. If you're operating large data centres or AI compute clusters, you now have 5.5 months to understand what FERC's new standards will demand—and NERC's working groups have already flagged the gaps; start mapping your grid footprint and reserve capacity now, because compliance deadlines and interconnection queues won't move for you.