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Posted March 12, 2026Fossil generation could rise with faster-than-expected growth in data center power demand ›
This analysis was completed in conjunction with the February Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO). The results may differ slightly from the most recent forecasts published in the March STEO.
Note: Other regions include the New York Independent System Operator (ISO), New England ISO, Florida, Southwest, Northwest, California ISO, and Southwest Power Pool ISO regions. Electricity load by region is measured as net energy for load in the STEO.
Electricity demand has been rising steadily since 2020 after more than a decade of little change. Between 2020 and 2025, U.S. electricity demand, as measured by net energy for load, grew about 1.7% annually compared with 0.1% annual growth between 2005 and 2019. Electricity use by data centers is driving the electricity demand growth. Continued development of these large computing facilities and growth from expanded industrial use of electricity are likely to continue driving growth in U.S. electricity demand in the near term. In this analysis, we explore the potential impact of faster-than-expected electricity demand growth, while assuming the same future generating capacity as the February Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO).
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