U.S. Power Demand Expected to Set 2026-27 Records

The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects electricity use will reach new records in 2026 and 2027, driven largely by power-hungry AI and cryptocurrency data centers, along with greater electrification of homes and businesses. Demand is forecast to rise from 4,195 billion kilowatt-hours in 2025 to 4,356 billion in 2027, with residential and commercial consumption also setting new highs. The agency expects renewables’ share of generation to increase while coal’s share declines; natural gas is projected to remain a major source, supplying about 40% of power in 2026. It also forecasts higher wholesale electricity prices in 2026, partly reflecting extreme weather.