Grid Economics

Krebber's point is that data centers represent a concentrated, fast-growing source of new demand. In his view, generalizing the resulting costs would be unfair to customers who did not create the need for the new infrastructure.

The Current Cost Model

RWE is not just complaining, it is positioning itself as a key player in the data center market. The company has signed Power Purchase Agreements with multiple data center operators and tech firms, and is investing in flexible generation and grid infrastructure.

The Amprion Stake

RWE holds a 55% stake in Amprion, a German grid operator. This gives RWE a seat on both sides of the grid, allowing it to generate power, sell power to data centers, and have a major interest in the grid that moves that power around.

US Expansion

RWE's ambitions are not limited to Europe. The company plans to grow its US energy generation capacity from 13 GW to 22 GW, committing approximately €17 billion through 2031 to meet data center demand. This expansion is aimed primarily at meeting demand from hyperscale operators.

Regulator Response

The stakes are more direct for households and smaller businesses. If grid expansion costs are socialized across all users, electricity bills could carry part of the burden of the data center boom. Krebber's comments put that risk on the record.

Decarbonization Angle

Europe is trying to electrify transport, heating, and industry while cutting emissions. Data centers add a new layer of demand on top of that transition, competing for the same grid capacity and clean generation.

Conclusion

The thing to watch is how regulators respond. A large utility openly saying the current cost model is unfair is an invitation for policymakers to revisit how grid charges are allocated. If they act, data center developers may face higher connection costs in Europe.