Duke Energy Secures 4.5 GW AI Contracts, $103 B Grid Capex Plan
Duke Energy secured 4.5 GW of hyperscaler contracts plus a 9 GW pipeline for Sunbelt AI demand, underpinning a $103B capex plan financed by shifting upgrade costs to hyperscalers. Florida unit removed storm charges in February—cutting residential bills by ~$44 per 1,000 kWh—and delivered $30.5M to 31,000 customers in 2025.
1. AI-driven Demand and Hyperscaler Contracts
Duke Energy has locked in 4.5 GW of hyperscaler contracts and holds a 9 GW development pipeline to serve growing AI-driven electricity demand in Sunbelt regions. Its integrated grid strategy is backed by a $103 billion capex program funded through a bespoke model that shifts upgrade costs to hyperscaler partners.
2. Florida Charge Removal and Customer Assistance
Duke Energy Florida eliminated storm cost recovery charges from customer bills in February, reducing residential bills by about $44 per 1,000 kWh. In 2025, the unit provided $30.5 million in energy bill assistance to roughly 31,000 customers via programs such as LIHEAP and the Share the Light Fund.