Data Centers

Rapid data center growth is reshaping electricity demand, infrastructure investment, utility planning, and energy markets across the United States. Developers and operators need access to large quantities of reliable power—often on accelerated timelines—while utilities, regulators, grid operators, and policymakers must address infrastructure requirements, cost allocation, reliability, and risks associated with unprecedented load growth.

CRA brings a 360-degree perspective to the data center and energy intersection. We advise data center developers and operators, utilities, investors, grid operators, large energy users, and other market participants, giving our experts insight into the commercial, regulatory, market, and infrastructure considerations on all sides of these increasingly complex transactions and decisions.

Our teams combine expertise in power markets, utility regulation and rates, generation, transmission and distribution planning, resource adequacy, procurement, and financial and economic analysis. We help clients evaluate where and how data center growth can be accommodated, develop commercial and regulatory structures that appropriately allocate costs and risks, and identify solutions that support both speed-to-power and long-term reliability.

Our services include:

• Site selection and power availability
• Utility strategy and large-load planning
• Rates, tariffs, and commercial structures
• Transmission and interconnection
• Generation and power supply strategy
• Resource adequacy and reliability
• Power market analysis and forecasting
• Regulatory and policy strategy
• Transaction and investment support
• Economic and customer impact analysis
• Strategy and market intelligence

Please contact energypractice@crai.com for more information.