Ontario's power grid faces record demand as data centres surge 70% in months

A sharp rise in demand for grid connections has been reported in Ontario. Data centre projects alone now account for about 6,000 MW of requests, up 70% from just two months earlier. The surge reflects a growing push from large-scale customers to join the power network. Hydro Ottawa’s CEO Bryce Conrad highlighted data centres as the main driver behind this unprecedented increase. These facilities, fuelled by the artificial intelligence boom, make up roughly 60% of all connection requests. Public institutions like hospitals and government buildings follow, representing 17% of the demand.

By the end of 2026, the total demand from large projects in Ottawa is set to surpass the average power use of the entire city. Currently, 34 projects in the queue have a combined demand of just over 1,000 MW, equivalent to 86% of Hydro Ottawa’s average load. Most of these projects aim to connect within the next two years, forcing the utility to accelerate its efforts.

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), which oversees Ontario’s grid, noted that demand figures can shift rapidly. Projects may withdraw, pause, or progress, causing significant fluctuations in the data. The report, published by The Canadian Press on June 25, 2026, underscores the scale of the challenge. Hydro Ottawa must now operate at an unprecedented speed and scale to meet the rising demand. The surge in requests signals a major shift in the province’s energy landscape.