Data centers are waiting up to ten years just to connect to the power grid. Hosts Alex Chen and Jordan Riley analyze the interconnection queue crisis with current data from PJM, ERCOT, and European markets—examining why timelines have stretched from two years to nearly a decade, what's driving $240/kW network upgrade costs, and which solutions are actually working. From co-location strategies and cluster study reforms to curtailment programs and software automation, this episode covers the technical realities and emerging solutions for the biggest bottleneck in data center development today.

Jordan Riley introduces Megawatts & Megatrends, a podcast tackling the critical infrastructure challenges facing data centers—grid delays, water crisis, thermal limits, and AI-driven demand. This evergreen trailer establishes the show's commitment to delivering weekly, data-backed engineering analysis for professionals who build and operate data center infrastructure.