A new report from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) warns that Americans could face up to 800 hours of blackouts by 2030, citing rising electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence and data center expansion. 

The Energy Department estimates that the U.S. will need 100 gigawatts of new power generation over the next five years — half of it to meet the growing demands of data centers. However, officials warn that current plans for energy supply fall short of meeting this critical need.

“In the coming years, America’s reindustrialization and the AI race will require a significantly larger supply of around-the-clock, reliable, and uninterrupted power. President Trump’s administration is committed to advancing a strategy of energy addition, and supporting all forms of energy that are affordable, reliable, and secure. If we are going to keep the lights on, win the AI race, and keep electricity prices from skyrocketing, the United States must unleash American energy,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in a blog post.

The report criticizes the closure of coal and natural gas plants and warns against overreliance on renewables, aligning with Trump’s broader energy strategy, which recently culminated in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” — ending federal support for wind and solar energy.

The DOE urges radical changes to grid expansion, renewed investments, and modern resource evaluation methods to avoid national security and economic risks.