UtilitiesMonday, November 9
OPPD projects less than 100 megawatts of room for big new power customers
The Morning Omaha team
If you've wondered whether Omaha's grid can handle the data center boom, here's where things stand. OPPD says it has enough capacity for typical residential and commercial growth, but it projects less than 100 megawatts for new or expanding large customers over the next few years.
OPPD President and CEO Javier Fernandez said any new or expanding project needing 2 megawatts or more might have to wait for service. Fernandez will leave the utility at the end of the year, according to a recent internal announcement.
OPPD's room for big new power users is tight
- Under 100
- megawatts OPPD projects for new large customers
- 1,000
- megawatts a large data center could need, at most
- 2
- megawatts or more could mean a wait for service
- 419,000
- OPPD customers across eastern Nebraska
Source: Grist
- Google: invested $6 million in OPPD programs meant to relieve costs
- Wind: Rattlesnake Creek in Dixon County essentially powers a Facebook data center
- Planning: OPPD is developing an Integrated System Plan for future generation
OPPD's grid story runs from 2021 blackouts to 2050 plans
- 2021Winter Storm Uri led OPPD to conduct rolling blackouts.
- Nov. 3OPPD customers voted for board members on their ballots.
- Late 2026OPPD President and CEO Javier Fernandez will leave the utility at the end of 2026.
- 2050OPPD is pursuing several pathways toward net-zero emissions.
Sources: The Omaha News, Grist
Residents are watching the bill. Todd Mack, an Omaha resident for 40 years, told The Omaha News he worries about how quickly the city can expand and what that growth might cost consumers. “I don’t think until we actually get there, I don’t think anyone really knows for certain,” he said.
Sources: Grist, The Omaha News