National Grid survey shows 78% of US utilities deploy AI to manage data-center load growth
XLU•Survey finds utilities shifting toward AI and reliability
National Grid’s 2026 Utility Innovation Survey flagged AI data-center load growth as a grid reliability risk for 74% of U.S. utility leaders.
Reliability displaced net zero as a top priority, cited in the top three by 73% versus 43% in 2025.
Net-zero goals fell to 16% from 54% in 2025, reflecting a shift toward near-term operational resilience.
AI adoption rose, with 78% deploying at least one AI application to manage interconnection demand linked to data centers.
Regulatory constraints and cost pressures remain a concern
Regulatory constraints dominated, with 87% citing outdated rate frameworks, while 83% saw data-center build costs passed to households.
