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Constellation Energy entered about 5 GW of new capacity into the PJM…

2026-05-12 · 17:08 UTC ·Utility Dive ·5 min read

Brief

Utility Dive’s May 12, 2026 Daily Dive highlights several industry developments: Constellation Energy has placed roughly 5 GW of nuclear, gas and battery projects into the PJM queue, though some colocation customers are pausing commitments pending clarity on PJM’s colocation and backstop auction rules. Con Edison unveiled a $29 billion program to harden and expand the NYC area grid to accommodate electrification of buildings and transport, noting only gradual local load growth from non‑data‑center sectors. Regional operators SPP, PJM and CAISO all project adequate supply for the coming summer despite forecasts of above‑average temperatures. The newsletter also cites corporate procurement trends—CEBA says U.S. corporations contracted over 27 GW in 2025 with four firms taking ~75%—and reports a PPL–Blackstone pipeline of 28.3 GW in Pennsylvania backed by gas turbine procurements. An opinion piece from Dominion Energy’s Sean Burri urges using AI as an operational partner to improve predictive reliability metrics.

Why it matters

Constellation Energy entered about 5 GW of new capacity into the PJM interconnection queue (composed of nuclear, gas and battery projects), and some potential data center customers are pausing decisions as PJM’s colocation and backstop auction rules are clarified (report dated May 12, 2026).

Key details

  • Con Edison announced a $29 billion plan to upgrade the New York City area grid to handle rising electrification from buildings and transportation; the company and reporting note NYC/suburbs are not seeing a major data center influx but are seeing gradual load growth.
  • System operators SPP, PJM and CAISO forecast they can meet summer 2026 power demand despite expectations for higher‑than‑average temperatures across their footprints (reliability outlook reported May 12, 2026).
  • Corporate clean energy procurement in the U.S. exceeded 27 GW in 2025, with four companies accounting for roughly three‑quarters of that volume, according to CEBA CEO Rich Powell.
  • A PPL–Blackstone joint venture’s ‘advanced’ data center pipeline in Pennsylvania rose to 28.3 GW; the JV is securing gas turbines to supply power plants intended to serve those data centers.
Cleaned source text

Daily Dive

May ​ 12,​ 2026 | Today’s news and insights for utility leaders

Grid delays blocking your growth?

Deploy fuel cells in months, not years. Learn how to capture underserved AI and data center load now. Register for May 20 webinar.

Constellation Energy enters 5 GW of nuclear, gas, battery capacity in PJM queue

Some potential data center customers are pausing decision-making in the PJM Interconnection to see how the grid operator’s colocation and backstop auction rules shake out, company officials said.

Con Edison to spend $29B shoring up NYC area grid as electrification rises

New York City and its suburbs are not seeing an influx of data centers like other parts of the country, but building and transportation electrification is driving gradual demand growth.

SPP, PJM, CAISO anticipate being able to meet power demand this summer

The regions in each organization’s footprint are likely to see higher-than-average temperatures this summer, but supply is expected to reliably meet demand.

Innovating for tomorrow

From modern grid technologies to sustainable infrastructure, Southwire’s innovations are built to elevate safety, reliability and connection. Learn more.

Opinion

Making AI work for utilities means treating technology as a partner, not a replacement

In an era when reliability indices directly shape regulatory ratings, AI's predictive capability becomes a measurable operational asset, but only when people know how to use it, writes Sean Burri, a Dominion Energy infrastructure engineer.

Hyperscalers driving record clean energy deals: CEBA CEO

U.S. corporate clean energy procurement surpassed 27 gigawatts in 2025, with four companies accounting for about three-quarters of that capacity, Rich Powell, CEO of the newly rebranded Corporate Energy Buyers Association, said in an interview.

Energy leaders balance decarbonization and growth

PPL ‘advanced’ data center pipeline grows to 28.3 GW in Pennsylvania

A PPL-Blackstone joint venture is securing gas turbines for power plants that would serve data centers, company officials said.

Modern billing systems put more power behind utility rates

Rate design can reduce grid costs, but first utilities need upgraded billing systems. Learn more.