# NERC Advances Reliability Standards for Computational Loads

By Riza Dagoc

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/regulation/33502
Published: 2026-10-16T21:35:48.000Z
Updated: 2026-10-16T21:35:48.000Z
Section: Regulation

> The proposals still need board adoption before NERC can submit them to federal regulators. A July order sets a Dec. 31 filing deadline.

Proposed North American grid standards for computational loads cleared a final ballot, moving toward board adoption as regulators address reliability risks from power-intensive facilities, including cryptocurrency operations.

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s (NERC) proposals passed the ballot on Oct. 15. They are not yet in force. NERC’s board must adopt them before the organization submits them to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for approval.

The broader effort addresses grid reliability risks from large computational loads, including data centers and cryptocurrency facilities. A July 16 FERC order directed NERC to file one or more new or modified standards for computational-load integration by Dec. 31.

NERC’s 2025 Long-Term Reliability Assessment projects North American summer peak demand growth of more than 224 gigawatts over 10 years. That is 69% above the previous assessment’s 132-gigawatt growth projection. For winter peak demand, the assessment projects growth of more than 245 gigawatts, 65% above the prior estimate of 149 gigawatts.

The projections are based on utility and system-planner plans from mid-2025, rather than measured demand. NERC identifies AI and digital-economy data centers as the source of most of the projected increase. It also cautions that some large-load projects may be delayed or may not materialize, so the forecasts are not guaranteed additions to demand.

Customer-initiated large-load reductions and significant oscillations have occurred over seconds, leaving little time for a real-time response. NERC issued a Level 3 Essential Action Alert. The standards process addresses reliability questions as large computing loads figure into long-term demand planning.

NERC’s next step is board consideration. If the board adopts the proposals, NERC plans to submit them to FERC by the Dec. 31 deadline for federal review.