Biggest US Grid Suspends Plan for New Data Center Power Auction

PJM Interconnection, operator of the biggest U.S. electric grid, has suspended plans for an auction meant to help meet surging data center electricity demand. PJM announced the pause on Wednesday, less than a day after a federal energy regulator ordered it to overhaul its proposal. The short delay suggests the auction design and timeline were central issues for the regulator’s decision. The company’s move keeps the grid operator from proceeding under the original plan while it revises the approach to accommodate fast-growing load from data centers. Further updates depend on how PJM responds to the regulator’s required changes.