Facing higher demand, volatility in power markets, and climate change impacts, Seattle City Light is projecting higher electricity rates than previously expected.
Over the next two years, customers will experience annual rate increases of 5.4%, followed by 5% annual increases through 2030. Previous projections estimated 3% annual increases through 2028. The average customer will pay an additional $5 per month starting next year.
Several factors contribute to the increased demand: rapid population growth, government policies promoting the electrification of vehicles and buildings, and the proliferation of data centers. A recent forecast by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council predicts that data centers could consume up to 4,000 average megawatts of electricity by 2029 — five times the power consumed by the entire city of Seattle.
