CMS Energy CEO expects progress on data center permits after midterms

CMS Energy CEO Garrick Rochow indicated that a controversial data center project expected to draw up to 1 gigawatt of power from Consumers Energy’s grid could see improved progress on local permitting following the upcoming elections, according to Utility Dive.

Rochow attributed previous permitting setbacks to political "spin" related to election campaigns, suggesting that much of the opposition to data centers might diminish after the midterms.

He noted that the data center, which Consumers Energy agreed to serve earlier this year, is continuing to advance through zoning processes in multiple locations despite earlier setbacks in April.

During the quarterly earnings call, Rochow also mentioned that Consumers Energy has energized about 450 megawatts of new large load out of 745 megawatts of signed contracts in its five-year plan, which includes facilities in semiconductor, food processing, and manufacturing sectors, but excludes the Microsoft data center.

CMS Energy’s CFO Sri Maddi highlighted that a 1 gigawatt increase in large load could lead to $2 billion to $5 billion in capital investment for the utility.

Rochow explained the company’s decision to omit a large-load pipeline slide from the earnings presentation, emphasizing the importance of actual progress over projections.