2026 US power sector outlook

Read Utility Dive's road map to the year ahead for FERC, affordability, renewable energy, distributed energy resources and more. 

By Meris Lutz • Jan. 30, 2026

PJM prepares to call on data center, large load backup generation to avoid blackouts

However, it is unclear how much generation could be available, and the grid operator doubts it will be needed during the ongoing bitter cold.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Jan. 30, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

AI in the Power Sector

Artificial intelligence is uniquely positioned to impact the electricity industry from both ends: as the technology driving large load demand growth and as a tool with the potential to make the power system more efficient. 

By Utility Dive staff

NERC forecasts peak demand to rise 24% on new data center loads

“The system is changing faster than the infrastructure needed to support it,” said John Moura, NERC's director of reliability assessments and performance analysis.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 30, 2026

FERC in 2026: Rising costs cloud regulators’ options on data centers, transmission and more

DOE’s colocation proposal and transmission planning reforms will set FERC’s agenda this year against a backdrop of rising concern over affordability, former commission chairmen and experts say in our 2026 outlook.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 29, 2026

US coal generation jumped 31% during Winter Storm Fern: EIA

Gas generation in the Lower 48 states increased 14%, while solar, wind and hydropower contributions declined from the week before, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2026

How utilities can prepare for the next wave of data center growth

The U.S. grid is unprepared to handle data center power needs. Utilities want to invest, but permitting hurdles remain a major impediment, writes Nexans North America President Tim King.

By Tim King • Jan. 28, 2026

DOE expands use of emergency orders amid winter freeze

Waivers issued Monday for the PJM Interconnection, New York ISO and Duke Energy build on emergency directives the Department of Energy ordered over the weekend.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 27, 2026

The new equation for energy security in 2026

Energy systems will be shaped by those who build resilient, diversified portfolios that balance reliability, policy, emissions, cost and independence, writes Honeywell Process Technology CEO Ken West.

By Ken West • Jan. 26, 2026

MISO regulators seek stakeholder review for DOE ‘emergency’ orders cost allocation

The U.S. Department of Energy has failed to show there are reliability benefits from keeping power plants from retiring in the Midcontinent region, state utility regulators told FERC.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 26, 2026

FERC upholds MISO, SPP fast-track generator reviews

The agency also approved a 1.2-GW pumped storage project planned by Rye Development in Washington.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 23, 2026

DOE orders diesel generators to be ready as electric sector prepares for Winter Storm Fern

Secretary of Energy Chris Wright asked grid operators to be prepared to utilize up to 35 GW of backup generation. A consumer advocate warned the plan is unworkable.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 23, 2026

FERC commissioners see progress in PJM data center, power supply plans

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Laura Swett said she is “encouraged that PJM and its stakeholders are working cooperatively now, much more so than they have in the recent past.”

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 23, 2026

Acting CISA chief defends workforce cuts, declares agency ‘back on mission’

Madhu Gottumukkala said the Trump administration supports a long-term renewal of the 2015 Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Act. The agency is also working on finalizing regulation under the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act.

By Eric Geller • Jan. 22, 2026

Managed EV charging can save utilities and ratepayers money: report

By optimizing electric vehicle charging around peak times, utilities can delay costly distribution grid upgrades while cutting per-vehicle charging costs by 25% or more, Brattle Group said this month.

By Brian Martucci • Jan. 21, 2026

US and allies collaborate on operational technology security guidance

A new report for critical infrastructure operators stresses the importance of logging, network segmentation and strong authentication, among other practices.

By Eric Geller • Jan. 20, 2026

A PJM backstop auction could fill the large load supply gap: Talen CEO

Reliability backstop auctions should not be a permanent, ongoing market feature, but they are the answer to today’s problem, writes Talen CEO Mac McFarland.

By Mac McFarland • Jan. 20, 2026

The data center dependency crisis: When our grid can’t function without big tech

We're sleepwalking into a future where our electric grid depends on the voluntary cooperation of private technology companies because the short-term benefits are too attractive to resist, writes Mothusi Pahl of Hartwell and Loche.

By Mothusi Pahl • Jan. 16, 2026

PJM trims near-term load forecast on stricter data center vetting, economic outlook

However, the PJM Interconnection expects long-term load growth to surge past its estimates released a year ago.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 15, 2026

Xcel defends storage ownership in distributed capacity pilot

The Minnesota utility floated modifications to its Capacity*Connect proposal, but it maintained it should own the batteries as it builds out the program. Stakeholders argued for more competition.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 14, 2026

Why winning the AI race requires systems intelligence, not just electric capacity

The future won’t belong to the nations with the most generating capacity, but to those with the best grid coordination, writes Evan Caron, co-founder of Montauk Capital.

By Evan Caron • Jan. 14, 2026

America’s energy innovation crossroads: Why federal investment matters now

Meeting the United States’ energy challenges will require a federal investment of $25 billion for Department of Energy R&D by 2030, writes Clean Tomorrow Senior Director of Policy Evan Chapman.

By Evan Chapman • Jan. 13, 2026

5 takeaways from Xcel CEO Bob Frenzel’s talk at the Minneapolis Fed

Supply chains are “actually degrading” while competition for engineering, construction and procurement services from hyperscalers is driving up costs for utilities, Frenzel said. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 12, 2026

Building security into energy infrastructure by design is lower cost and more effective

Data centers and their energy partners would be wise to ramp up cybersecurity efforts to match the pace of development, writes Leo Simonovich of Siemens Energy.

By Leo Simonovich • Jan. 12, 2026

What lies below? Beneath our streets lies treasure — and trouble.

Mark it. Map it. Dig with confidence. One marker now can prevent disaster later.

Jan. 12, 2026

Illinois sets 3-GW energy storage target, requires utilities to develop virtual power plants

Electricity bills in Illinois rose 15% last year. A new law aims to reduce energy costs by incentivizing new resources, expanding solar and growing efficiency programs.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 9, 2026