US power use to beat record highs in 2026 and 2027, EIA says
NEW YORK, Feb 10 (Reuters) – U.S. power consumption, which hit its second straight record high in 2025, will rise further in 2026 and 2027, the Energy Information Administration said in its Short-Term Energy Outlook on Tuesday.
The EIA projected power demand will rise from a record 4,195 billion kilowatt-hours in 2025 to 4,268 billion kWh in 2026 and 4,372 billion kWh in 2027.
Demand is surging in part due to data centers dedicated to artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency, and as homes and businesses use more electricity and less fossil fuel for heat and transportation.
The EIA forecast power sales in 2026 will rise to 1,541 billion kWh for residential consumers, 1,520 billion kWh for commercial customers and 1,063 billion kWh for industrial customers.
h/t RobertBartus