NEECE25 – Gridlock or Growth: The Northeast’s Energy Evolution
NECA & CPES hosted the 2025 New England Energy Conference & Exposition on June 4 & 5, when industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators converged to explore the dynamic landscape of energy in the Northeast. This year’s theme, “Gridlock or Growth: The Northeast’s Energy Evolution,” delved into the critical challenges and exciting opportunities facing the region’s energy sector.
Focus: Data Center Energy Challenges & Opportunities
As data centers become increasingly integral to our digital economy, their energy demands and sustainability practices are in the headlights. This year’s conference provided a comprehensive examination of the energy challenges facing data centers in the region, including interconnection queues, siting permits, power requirements, and grid reliability. Is ISO-NE able to accommodate large data centers? What challenges do they impose on the system? What regulatory hurdles need to be overcome to bring these behemoth loads online? How do data centers contribute or contradict the regions’ net zero goals? Attendees heard directly from regional public utility commission chairs, utilities, ISO-NE, and other leaders on how they are addressing this new form of large load and its impacts on the system.
Key Highlights:
Attendees had the opportunity to engage with thought leaders and experts in discussions on the future of energy in the Northeast and connect with industry experts and peers and key stakeholders.