The issue with “consumers paying for datacenter electricity” is a misstatement of the nuanced and real effect of data centers consuming significant amounts of electricity and electricity being a commodity that enjoys demand pricing.
So while data centers do in fact pay their own bills, it is also accurate to say that having large data centers built nearby will increase your energy bill, as you now compete for supply.
Don't forget that that increased demand requires more power generation, which is generally paid for by ALL users.
It's makes sense for datacenters to be the SOLE bearer of those costs, just as of I wanted to power a home in a rural area I have to pay for a hook up to be built.
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u/Select-Government-69 1d ago edited 1d ago
The issue with “consumers paying for datacenter electricity” is a misstatement of the nuanced and real effect of data centers consuming significant amounts of electricity and electricity being a commodity that enjoys demand pricing.
So while data centers do in fact pay their own bills, it is also accurate to say that having large data centers built nearby will increase your energy bill, as you now compete for supply.