On Long Island, National Grid's aging Northport power plant built in 1967 is firing up again to meet surging electricity demand. The facility's £17bn investment commitment over five years reflects New York's scramble to modernize its grid amid rising needs from AI data centers and manufacturing. This marks a dramatic shift from a decade of flat demand driven by energy efficiency gains.

The state previously blocked gas plant upgrades while pursuing renewable transition, but now faces a dilemma. Electricity demand is climbing faster than anticipated, with businesses seeking grid connections by 2030 equivalent to New York City's peak load. A quarter of the state's power plants are over 50 years old, creating reliability risks during extreme weather events.

National Grid operates three such plants on Long Island and proposes a one-year gas price freeze to ease customer burden. However, many residents resent paying higher bills for data centers they don't directly benefit from. The company suggests charging data centers enough to subsidize grid upgrades.

Political tensions complicate the transition. The Trump administration opposes offshore wind while supporting a $1bn gas pipeline previously blocked on environmental grounds. New York's experience shows the UK and other nations must balance green ambitions with immediate infrastructure needs and affordability concerns.