An interconnection queue is the waiting list for new power projects to connect to the electrical grid. For a data center, factory, or other large load, the grid operator must study whether local transmission, substations, and protection systems can safely carry the added demand. That process can take months or years because it often requires engineering reviews, upgrades, and coordination across utilities and regulators.
In cyber security, the term matters because grid access is part of operational availability. A delayed interconnection can slow cloud expansion, limit backup power planning, and create pressure to concentrate workloads in a few already-connected sites. Attackers may exploit these dependencies indirectly by targeting facilities, utility interfaces, or supply chains that support power delivery. Defenders use interconnection planning as part of resilience work: they map power dependencies, validate redundant sites, and plan for capacity shortfalls before a business or AI workload becomes exposed to them.