NERC’s Steps Toward Regulating Large Loads

The rapid growth of data centers, cryptocurrency mining and other computational loads is creating new challenges for interconnection, system studies, modeling and reliability. NERC is responding with proposed registration requirements and new reliability standards for certain large computational loads. For utilities and organizations planning or supporting these connections, understanding these changes now can help inform upcoming projects, studies and compliance planning. 

NERC Large Load Registration 

NERC is proposing that certain large loads be registered and subject to mandatory reliability requirements. Its initial focus is on “Computational Loads,” including data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations, following significant system disturbances associated with operational behaviors of these types of loads. 

Who Will Be Required to Register?

NERC proposes a 50 MW threshold, modified from the original 20 MW proposal, as the size of load for considering it as a “large load” because it captures majority of large load entities that pose identified risks to the Bulk Power System. The threshold encompasses those Computational Loads that have been shown to create problematic dynamic behaviors when connected at Bulk Power System voltage levels. Comments on the proposed computational load definition and registration criteria are due on September 18, 2026. 

New Large Load Standards

On August 19, 2026, NERC initiated a comment period, for its three new proposed foundational reliability Standards in a new standards family – Computational Load Organization (CLO) which includes:

• CLO-001-1: Computational Load Interconnection, Studies & Modeling Data
• CLO-002-1: Computational Load Operational Data and Communications
• CLO-003-1: Computational Load Protection Coordination & Disturbance Monitoring

Now, two new registration entities are being proposed: Computational Load Owner (CLO) and Computational Load Operator (CLOP). 

Additionally, NERC has identified needed modifications to FAC-001-5, Facility Interconnection Requirements and FAC-002-5, Facility Interconnection Studies needed to address the interconnection criteria and studies needed for connecting large new loads to the Bulk Electric System.  

NERC has provided Technical Rationale for the requirements in all three of the new standards which is worth reviewing to understand the implications for various bulk power system functions and the organizations responsible. 

Additionally, NERC has identified needed modifications to FAC-001-5, Facility Interconnection Requirements and FAC-002-5, Facility Interconnection Studies needed to address the interconnection criteria and studies needed for connecting large new loads to the Bulk Electric System.

NERC has provided Technical Rationale for the requirements in all three of the new standards which is worth reviewing to understand the implications for various bulk power system functions and the organizations responsible.

FERC Emphasis and Subsequent Timeline 

To underline the importance of the NERC Large Load initiative, FERC issued an Order directing NERC to file the registration process changes and the large load foundational standards by December 31, 2026. NERC also has to file a plan of action for future large load standards by March 31, 2027.  

For utilities and large-load stakeholders, this creates an important planning window. Now is the time to evaluate how proposed registration, modeling, operational and compliance requirements could affect upcoming transmission projects and existing processes.