July 31 (Reuters) - Major U.S. electricity utility

Exelon ( EXC ) has 33 gigawatts of data center customers

interested in connecting to its system, as the company explores

its options for adding new power supplies to meet the explosion

of demand, company executives said on Tuesday.

Electric utilities are fielding massive requests for electricity

to fuel Big Tech's new AI data centers, which are driving U.S.

power consumption to new highs and pressuring the grid.

Thirty-three gigawatts is enough power all of the homes in

California, New York and Texas, combined.

Of that amount, Exelon ( EXC ) says 17 gigawatts are already in line

to connect to its system, and another 16 gigawatts will be

studied and are expected to be added to the formal pipeline by

the end of the year.

Exelon ( EXC ) serves more than 10.5 million customers through six

fully-regulated transmission and distribution utilities.

Chicago-based Exelon ( EXC ) is considering its options for building

and owning power generation, which electric utilities are

legally barred from in many U.S. states. In those states,

regulated utilities own power lines, while independent power

producers own and operate power plants.

There are currently proposals in states, including

Pennsylvania and New Jersey, to allow regulated utilities to

develop and own power plants.

"We want to be part of the solution," Exelon ( EXC ) CEO Calvin

Butler said on an earnings call with investors. "The supply is

not meeting the demand."

Exelon ( EXC ) reported overall revenue of $5.43 billion for the

second quarter, compared with analysts' average estimate of

$5.38 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Earnings at its PECO unit, Pennsylvania's largest electric

and natural gas energy company, rose about 51% to $136 million

during the reported quarter.

However, earnings at its Commonwealth Edison unit (ComEd),

the largest electric utility in Illinois, fell 15.6% to $228

million.

The company reaffirmed its full-year 2025 adjusted profit

forecast of $2.64 to $2.74 per share. Analysts were expecting

$2.69 per share.

Exelon ( EXC ) posted adjusted operating earnings of 39 cents per

share for the April to June period, compared with analysts'

estimate of 37 cents.