Electric cooperatives are experiencing a new era of load growth - driven by three major types of large electricity user: data centers, new or expanding industrial facilities, and the electrictrification of transportation vehicle fleets for people and goods. These emerging large loads are arriving faster and at greater scale than traditional growth, creating significant challenges. Understanding the specific needs of data centers, industrials, and electric vehicle (EV) fleets is key to offering tailored solutions that balance competitiveness with long-term system integrity. In addition, internal coordination between distribution cooperatives and their generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative or other power providers is critical.
NRECA's Serving Large Loads report series provides particular focus on the impacts, opportunities and challenges around these three areas for electric cooperatives.
Part 1: Definition and Characteristics - Understanding Large LoadsThese reports discuss the operational characteristics, electricity needs, market outlooks, challenges and opportunities for electric cooperatives.
Part 2: Siting Considerations - coming soon!These reports will explore siting considerations and customer and community engagement.
- Data Centers
- Industrial Loads
- Electrified Transportation Loads
Part 3: Flexibility - coming soon!These reports will explore the potential for demand response and flexibility across these loads, including demand-side programs, and flexible interconnection. Multiple forms of flexibility will be considered — incuding how, when, and where energy is consumed or delivered — to help inform future planning and integration strategies.
- Data Centers
- Industrial Loads
- Electrified Transportation Loads
Find more resources from NRECA about Serving Large Loads and Data Centers on our topic page.
