The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that U.S. electricity demand will set new record highs in 2026 and 2027, driven mainly by AI-focused data centers, crypto mining facilities, and the electrification of homes and businesses.
EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook · U.S. Power Demand
AI Data Centers Drive U.S. Power Demand to Back-to-Back Record Highs
After a record 4,195 billion kWh in 2025, U.S. electricity demand is projected to climb again in 2026 and 2027 — with surging AI and crypto data-center loads leading the growth, and the commercial sector overtaking residential for the first time.
2×
U.S. data-center demand doubles: 31 GW (2025) → 66 GW (2027)
+267%
Peak wholesale power price rise in some regions over 5 years
~50%
Share of U.S. demand growth from data centers through 2030
Total U.S. Power Demand
Record highs, three years running (billion kWh)
Global Data-Center Electricity (IEA)
Consumption more than doubles by 2030 (TWh)
Each block ≈ 100 TWh · U.S. and China account for 80% of the growth.
Grid Pressure Points
$9.3B
Added to PJM 2025–26 capacity prices by data-center demand
+60%
ERCOT large flexible loads YoY, reaching 54 bn kWh in 2025
10+ yrs
Permitting delays for new grids and power plants
Bullish
Utilities (NEE, DUK, SO) favored on structural demand. Efficiency gains in cooling and server optimization, plus renewable expansion, could moderate the rise.
Cautious
Crypto miners (RIOT, MARA) squeezed by higher power prices. Grid-connection waits push some AI firms to weigh overseas moves — one frontier model may need 5 GW.
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