Peak demand in the Western Interconnection hit a record high of 168.2 GW in 2024, reflecting “early effects” of the growth in large loads such as data centers, according to a new WECC report.

Among the topics covered by WECC’s State of the Interconnection report, one subject stands out: the impact of extreme natural events on the Western grid.

WECC staff said that they are committed to improving their approach to their annual State of the Interconnection Report.