The grid of the future is being built today, and electrical manufacturers are playing a key role by deploying innovative technologies and investments to strengthen America’s energy resilience. The impact of data centers and AI advancements on achieving this reliable future grid was a timely topic of discussion during today’s NEMA-Semafor event, “Powering Our AI Future.”

The conversation featured bipartisan insights from House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), FERC Chairman Mark Christie, and Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), who offered their perspectives on the opportunities and challenges for achieving bipartisan permitting reform, regulating AI, and maintaining grid reliability during a time of skyrocketing demand. Schneider Electric President of North America Operations Aamir Paul highlighted how electrical manufacturers are working together to deploy technologies but need supportive policy frameworks.

The discussion took place at a pivotal moment. NEMA’s recent study, “A Reliable Grid for an Electric Future”, projects a 300% increase in energy consumption from data centers as the key drivers of demand growth over the next 10 years and outlines how innovative technologies are vital to optimize data center performance and meet surging demand.

“Data centers are the digital engines of AI—and electrical manufacturers play a key role in powering them to deliver reliability, innovation, and performance,” said Phillips. “To ensure our grid infrastructure can adapt to surging demand, we need to invest in a suite of innovative, near-term technology solutions to deliver a reliable and affordable energy system.”

U.S. electrical manufacturers have invested over $185 billion in domestic electrical manufacturing since 2018 and created thousands of jobs.  

Watch the full livestream here.