Across the U.S., one of the fastest-growing drivers of electricity demand is industrial-scale computing: hyperscale data centers, cloud & AI infrastructure. Nationally, a recent report found that data centers accounted for about 4.4% of total U.S. electricity consumption in 2023 and could grow toward 12% by 2028. Another analysis found electricity demand in the U.S., after being nearly flat for a decade before 2020, has started to surge, with commercial / large-industrial loads (which include data centers) being the major contributor. In the Kansas City region (spanning both Kansas and Missouri) in particular, there is a cluster of data centers and plans for more. Missouri Coalition for the Environment notes the Kansas City area already has at least 22 data centers and more on the way. This is not hypothetical. Data centers are proliferating, and they consume large amounts of electricity (both for computing/servers AND for cooling/ancillary systems).

Zooming In on Our Region

New data center projects in the Kansas City metro could nearly double the region’s electricity demand. Evergy (serving parts of Kansas & Missouri) notes their territory contains 263 data centers and highlights the region’s attractiveness for this industry. For example, Kansas passed a sales-tax break incentive for “hyperscale” data centers. The average residential rate in Kansas is about 14.68¢/kWh and in Missouri about 12.97¢/kWh (as of Sept 2025) according to ElectricChoice. So locally, there are large, new electricity loads (data centers) entering the system, which translates into infrastructure, capacity, and cost implications for utilities and regulators.

Why This Could Raise Home Electricity Bills

Here are the mechanisms by which the growth of data centers can push up electricity costs in Kansas/Missouri:

• Increased overall demand → higher infrastructure and generation cost: When major new loads come on line (e.g., data centers requiring hundreds of megawatts), utilities and grid operators need to build or upgrade generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure. These infrastructure costs (capital investment, maintenance, grid upgrades) must ultimately be recovered in rates. If the costs are spread over fewer kWh (or if the growth is rapid), rates could increase for all customers.
• Load-growth outpacing the rate-base expansion: For decades many utilities faced flat or slow growth; billing customers growth via rate increases was less frequent. The return of strong load-growth means utilities may rethink pricing structures. If data centers receive favorable contracts/incentives (e.g., discounted energy, special rate structures) the rest of the customers (residential, small business) might have to absorb a greater share of grid cost recovery.
• Higher wholesale/peak costs: Data centers tend to run 24/7 and often require robust redundancy, which means the utility must have available capacity (and often more than typical loads). That pushes up peak‐capacity needs and the cost of grid reliability. Studies suggest that large loads like data centers can increase stress on grid planning, and in some jurisdictions, that has translated into higher user costs.
• Regulatory/contractual risk and cost allocation: If a large load commits to using power, but then leaves or under‐uses capacity (so the utility has built for them), those stranded costs may show up in rates for other customers. What happens if the data center uses less power than predicted? Incentive packages (e.g., tax breaks for data centers) shift costs to public budgets or other customers indirectly.
• Shift in rate design: To recover rising costs, utilities may change rate structures: higher fixed charges, higher minimum monthly bills, or increased demand charges that might be passed partially to smaller customers (especially if the utility argues residential rates are subsidizing large users). For example: Axios noted that data centers “could cut your bill” according to Evergy, but that presumes the cost shift is done favorably.

What Does This Mean for Evergy Customers Kansas & Missouri?

If you pay a residential or commercial electric bill every month in Kansas or Missouri, here are some specific implications you should keep in mind:

• Watch for higher rate filings: Utilities may file with regulatory commissions to raise rates to cover infrastructure associated with large new loads. If you see a rate case, large new data center load is likely part of the back-story.
• Expect possible changes to your bill structure: More fixed fees, higher minimum bills, or new surcharges tied to grid upgrades. Even if your usage doesn’t increase, the portion of cost you pay might.
• Energy efficiency becomes even more valuable: If underlying rates go up, every kWh you use (or avoid) becomes more expensive. Investing in efficient heating/AC, better insulation, smart thermostats, etc., will yield more savings.
• Community/regulatory vigilance matters: Because large loads like data centers have negotiation leverage, how the cost sharing is structured matters. If you live in a region where the utility or regulators are asking large users to pay their share, your bill impact may be less. But if large users get preferential rates, you might carry more of the burden. (In Kansas City some of this is already under review.)
• Timing and magnitude vary: Not all data centers will immediately drive up your bill. It depends on when the load comes on, how the utility recovers costs, what other loads are in the region, and how efficient the center is. In some cases you may see a modest increase; in others, more substantial.

Why This Isn’t Guaranteed (and where to Look for Hope)

It’s not certain that your bills will go up drastically. There are mitigating factors:

• Some data centers are designed to be more efficient and may locate in regions with abundant low-cost power (so the incremental cost per kWh may be lower).
• Some utilities and regulators are structuring special tariffs so that large users pay more or have different contract terms, thereby reducing spillover to residential customers. For instance, Evergy’s statement about data centres potentially reducing residential bills (if cost sharing is done right) shows this possibility.
• If new generation (especially renewable) comes online and lowers average unit cost of electricity, it might offset some of the rate pressure, though this is less certain in the short term.
• If data centers implement on‐site generation, demand response, or other offsetting technologies, their impact on the grid may be less.
• Thus: Evergy customers need to stay alert. We’re not talking about an automatic bill spike necessarily, but rather an elevated risk and a larger set of variables at play.

What You can Do as an Evergy Customer

Here are actionable steps:

• Monitor your utility’s rate cases: When your utility (e.g., Evergy) files for a rate increase or new tariff, read the summary. Look for language about “large loads”, “data center expansion”, and cost allocation.
• Support energy efficiency upgrades: Whether through insulation, efficient HVAC, smart home tech, or solar/EV adoption. Lowering your kWh consumption will hedge against rate increases.
• Engage with local regulators or public comments: Many rate cases or large infrastructure issues include public comment periods. Evergy customers can voice concerns about fairness in cost distribution.
• Track new data center developments in your region: If your county or service territory is seeing large announcements for hyperscale data centers (e.g., in Kansas City area), anticipate grid impact.
• Check your bill’s cost-structure breakdown: Sometimes the “fixed cost” portion or “demand charge” portion may be rising; by understanding what drives your bill you’re better positioned to evaluate changes.
• Consider distributed resources: Solar panels, battery backup, or time-of-use strategies may help you avoid high cost periods or reduce grid consumption.

Final Thoughts

The boom in data centers in the Kansas/Missouri region certainly represents economic opportunity in the form of  jobs, investment, and infrastructure. It also carries a wrinkle: major new electricity demand that must be met, and someone (ultimately) pays for that infrastructure and capacity. Homeowners and businesses are potentially on the hook through higher rates, new fees, or increased fixed charges unless the regulatory and utility frameworks ensure fair cost-sharing.

In effect: your electricity bill may not shoot up overnight, but the trend lines suggest a higher baseline risk of future increases driven by this industrial growth. Being prepared, informed, and proactive will help you navigate whatever comes.