How utilities can add capacity in months, not years

For utilities managing surging electricity demand, a scalable, non-wires approach to expanding grid capacity can be deployed in just a few months.

June 1, 2026

Large-load customers can help commercialize new clean energy technology: CEBA

“In a lot of the partnerships that have been established around some of these technologies, it's really the tech companies that are taking on a lot of the risk,” Priya Barua, CEBA's senior director of utility partnerships and innovation, told Utility Dive.

By Diana DiGangi • May 29, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

Virginia senator suggests SCC judge recuse herself from NextEra-Dominion merger

The state senator also objects to the merger itself, calling it “extremely concerning” in an environment of “rising utility bills and unprecedented grid expansion costs driven largely by hyperscale data center growth.”

By Diana DiGangi • May 28, 2026

Demand management, data center flexibility boost regional reliability: NERC

The reliability watchdog dropped its forecast for ERCOT’s net internal demand by 3.7 GW, or 4.6%, compared with last summer, “because more data centers can be curtailed by grid operators when needed to prevent grid emergencies.”

By Brian Martucci • May 27, 2026

Puerto Rico’s power grid is ‘suspended between two realities,’ top utility regulator says

Affordability, reliability and the need to restore public confidence almost a decade after Hurricane Maria are top concerns, writes PREB Chairman Edison Avilés.

By Edison Avilés • May 22, 2026

FERC Commissioner Chang is ‘not thinking about’ breaking up PJM

“I'm interested in the successful continued operation of PJM, but definitely I want to help them get through this period,” FERC Commissioner Judy Chang told Utility Dive. She called the proposed NextEra-Dominion merger “interesting.”

By Diana DiGangi • May 21, 2026

Financing for California’s signature virtual power plant remains uncertain

Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed funding the Demand Side Grid Support program through this year before moving participants to a separate, utility-run framework. Clean energy groups call the proposal costly and counterproductive.

By Brian Martucci • May 20, 2026

Data centers could be 33% of commercial building electricity use by 2050: EIA

In one modeled scenario, the Energy Information Administration found server electricity consumption in 2050 will be more than 16 times what it was in 2020.

By Diana DiGangi • May 19, 2026

Pennsylvania releases ‘first-of-its-kind’ large-load model tariff

The guidelines call for utilities to charge large-load customers for upgrades that “would not have been needed ‘but for’ the interconnection” of that customer, “irrespective of whether other customers will benefit” from the infrastructure.

By Meris Lutz • Updated May 18, 2026

Why is the US walking away from energy efficiency?

Policymakers should set strong energy efficiency standards and reinstate tax incentives for households and businesses to make upgrades, writes Ben Evans at the U.S. Green Building Council.

By Ben Evans • May 13, 2026

US annual electricity consumption to grow 55% by 2050: NEMA

The group representing electrical equipment manufacturers expects data center energy consumption to grow 300% over the next 10 years.

By Robert Walton • May 13, 2026

Modern billing systems put more power behind utility rates

Rate design can reduce grid costs, but first utilities need upgraded billing systems.

By Galen Erickson, Kurt Coutain, Emma Rodvien • May 11, 2026

Eversource CEO: ‘We are resisting data centers’

Data centers are of “no value to our residential customer — actually, any customer,” said Eversource Energy CEO Joe Nolan. “It's only going to drive up the price of energy.”

By Diana DiGangi • May 8, 2026

Electric truck fleets could push down residential rates by 2035: report

Medium- and heavy-duty fleet electrification in California and Georgia could reduce residential rates modestly, E3’s analysis found, but proactive, measured investments in grid upgrades are essential.

By Brian Martucci • May 7, 2026

EDAM is ‘solid and stable’ so far, says CAISO

The Extended Day-Ahead Market’s prices are falling within expected ranges, with steady transfer volumes in its footprint, according to the California Independent System Operator. “Battery energy storage is now a major player on the Western grid,” said CAISO CEO Elliot Mainzer.

By Diana DiGangi • May 7, 2026

TXU Energy EV charging program could work in other competitive markets: ChargeScape CEO

Ford electric vehicle drivers get 15 hours per day of “free” home charging under a special retail plan in Texas. The automaker says it shifted 515 MWh of energy to off-peak periods in 2025.

By Brian Martucci • May 6, 2026

‘Supplemental’ municipal utility begins solar-and-storage installs in Ann Arbor, Michigan

The Ann Arbor Sustainable Energy Utility will use locally sited solar, batteries and other resources to improve reliability and lower costs for subscribers, city officials say.

By Brian Martucci • May 5, 2026

Southern Co. electricity sales soar on 42% data center growth

The company has 28 large load projects representing 11 GW under contract, and Georgia Power’s first-quarter capital expenditures increased year over year from $1.6 billion to $2 billion.

By Diana DiGangi • May 1, 2026

Octopus Energy, Lunar Energy roll out battery-enabled electricity plans in Texas

It’s the latest Texas program to offer customers a deeply discounted battery that provides grid support as well as home backup power.

By Brian Martucci • April 29, 2026

TVA, Plus Power to deploy 200 MW/800 MWh BESS in Alabama

Crawfish Creek would be one of the first grid-scale battery projects in TVA territory and a significant down payment toward its board-approved plan to deploy up to 1.5 GW of energy storage by 2029.

By Brian Martucci • April 28, 2026

Base Power partnership to mitigate price spikes, load peaks for South Texas co-op, CEO says

The 50-MW distributed battery deployment could check Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative’s power costs, CEO Darren Schauer told Utility Dive.

By Brian Martucci • April 22, 2026

Congress presses DOE’s Wright on Energy Star, permitting reform

Energy Secretary Chris Wright didn’t offer plans for DOE’s full takeover of the Energy Star program. He agreed to work with Congress on methane rules and permitting reform.

By Diana DiGangi • April 17, 2026

Wright defends actions on coal plants, funding cuts in testy House hearing

When pressed, the energy secretary said that money for home energy efficiency rebate programs, which has been frozen since last year, would “probably” be released in a “few weeks.”

By Diana DiGangi • April 16, 2026

FERC orders American Efficient to pay $1.1B for ‘brazen fraud’

“American Efficient’s years-long fraud profoundly disrupted the organized capacity markets and ultimately increased costs for ordinary Americans,” FERC Chairman Laura Swett said.

By Ethan Howland • Updated April 17, 2026

Maryland regulators weigh investor-owned utilities’ flexible load proposals

Public Service Commission staff characterized the proposals as a good start but said they needed “additional clarity” to ensure reliable, measurable and well-located grid benefits.

By Brian Martucci • April 15, 2026