Duke Energy says new data center development across its service territory is expected to generate billions of dollars in long-term bill savings for existing customers while supporting investments in grid infrastructure and new energy resources. According to Duke Energy, its Customer Protection Plus framework is intended to guide how the company evaluates and manages data center growth through three priorities: maintaining grid reliability, requiring financial protections from large customers and creating value for existing customers. Under the framework, data center agreements may include customer-funded interconnection costs, long-term service commitments, upfront financial security, termination charges and temporary curtailment provisions during limited grid events. Duke Energy said these measures are intended to provide greater planning certainty and help ensure that growth does not shift costs to other customers. "Duke Energy remains focused on ensuring data centers not only pay their fair share but also yield savings for our existing customers," said Harry Sideris, president and CEO of Duke Energy, in a statement.