WASHINGTON, November 10, 2026 — Electricity consumption in the United States is expected to reach record levels in both 2026 and 2027 as artificial intelligence data centers expand and homes and businesses rely increasingly on electric power, the US Energy Information Administration said Tuesday.
In its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, the EIA projected national electricity use would rise from 4,216 billion kilowatt-hours in 2025 to 4,306 billion in 2026 and 4,370 billion in 2027. If the forecast is realised, the United States will record a third consecutive year of rising electricity consumption.
Data centers dedicated to artificial intelligence are a major source of the increase. Commercial and industrial users are also consuming more electricity as manufacturing expands and households shift heating and transportation away from fossil fuels.
The EIA expects renewable energy to supply a growing share of electricity generation. Its forecast places renewables at 25% of generation in 2026 and 28% in 2027, while coal’s share is expected to fall from 17% in 2025 to 15% in both forecast years. Natural gas is projected to remain the largest single source, accounting for about 40% in 2026 and 39% in 2027.
The demand outlook raises pressure on utilities, grid operators and regulators to ensure that new generation and transmission capacity can keep pace. It also adds urgency to the debate over whether technology companies should bear more of the costs associated with large data centers, particularly in communities where residents are concerned about electricity prices, water use and local infrastructure.
The EIA’s figures are forecasts rather than guaranteed outcomes. Actual demand will depend on economic growth, weather, the pace of data-center construction and the ability of the power sector to connect new capacity to the grid.