# Chicago: what a 50 MW connection costs under Commonwealth Edison

URL: https://open-factory.com/power/chicago/
Data as of: 2026-08-21
Publisher: Open Factory, https://open-factory.com

**What does a 50 MW connection cost in Chicago?** In Chicago, Commonwealth Edison connects a 50 MW load under Revised General Terms and Conditions for large loads plus FERC-approved Transmission Security Agreements (TSAs), docket ICC 25-0677 (approved). Minimum bill: committed revenue contributions with shortfall payments if usage misses commitments. Term: not published. Realistic energization: 2031. Open Factory's Large-Load Cost Table, as of August 21, 2026.

## Facts

- Market: Chicago, IL (PJM)
- Utility: Commonwealth Edison
- Tariff or rule: Revised General Terms and Conditions for large loads plus FERC-approved Transmission Security Agreements (TSAs)
- Docket: ICC 25-0677 (approved); FERC TSA orders Feb to Mar 2026
- Status: approved
- Large-load threshold: not published (TSAs are for transmission-level loads)
- Study fee: not published
- Security or collateral: credit obligations under TSAs; 4 GW of signed TSAs have posted about $1 billion
- Minimum bill: committed revenue contributions with shortfall payments if usage misses commitments
- Contract term: not published
- Ramp: defined ramp in each TSA
- Exit fee: termination-fee schedule in each TSA
- CIAC exposure: transmission facilities secured by the TSA credit obligations; customer facility readiness obligation
- Realistic energization, 50 MW: 2031
- Verification: PARTIAL (TSA structure verified via FERC orders as reported; ICC terms not opened)
- Data as of: August 21, 2026

## Questions

### What does a 50 MW connection cost in Chicago?

Commonwealth Edison: study fee not published; collateral credit obligations under TSAs; 4 GW of signed TSAs have posted about $1 billion; minimum bill committed revenue contributions with shortfall payments if usage misses commitments; term not published.

### When can a 50 MW load be energized in Chicago?

2031. JLL 2026 outlook: ~5 years average for a new 50 MW data center in Chicago; ComEd has ~9 GW of high-probability data center load; Exelon's pipeline fell from 43 GW to 25 GW in Q2 2026.

### Which tariff applies to large loads in Chicago?

Revised General Terms and Conditions for large loads plus FERC-approved Transmission Security Agreements (TSAs); docket ICC 25-0677 (approved); FERC TSA orders Feb to Mar 2026; status: approved.

### Is this rate proposed or approved?

Approved or in effect as of the data date (approved). PARTIAL (TSA structure verified via FERC orders as reported; ICC terms not opened).

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- [Introducing the Large-Load Cost Table: 15 Markets Side by Side](https://open-factory.com/articles/large-load-cost-table-launch/)
- [A Factory Owner's Guide to the PJM Capacity Charge](https://open-factory.com/articles/pjm-capacity-factory-bill/)
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## Sources

- [Open Factory Large-Load Cost Table](https://open-factory.com/models/large-load-cost-table/)
- [utilitydive.com (2026-03-11)](https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-comed-exelon-data-center-service-agreement/814414/)
- [utilitydive.com (2026-07-31)](https://www.utilitydive.com/news/exelon-data-center-load-new-jersey-battery-earnings/826686/)
- [eta-publications.lbl.gov (Appendix 1)](https://eta-publications.lbl.gov/sites/default/files/2026-08/rate_designs_large_loads_2026.08.10.pdf)

Model: https://open-factory.com/models/large-load-cost-table/
Calculator: https://open-factory.com/tools/interconnection-cost/
