NERC issues Level 3 alert, mandates action to address data center load losses

May 6, 2026

The North American Electric Reliability Corp. on Monday issued a rare Level 3 alert — the watchdog’s highest level — following instances of data centers unexpectedly dropping load or oscillating demand rapidly, creating reliability concerns. The alert includes seven actions grid entities “must implement to address immediate risks posed by computational loads,” NERC said.

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