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

Utilities under pressure: 6 power sector trends to watch in 2026

Facing rising demand and aggressive load growth projections, utilities are rolling out massive spending plans. Now they'll have to walk a fine line with regulators and ratepayers.

By Meris Lutz , Robert Walton , Ethan Howland , Diana DiGangi • Jan. 8, 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

MISO selects AEP-Berkshire JV to build $1.2B, 765-kV transmission project

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator also tapped Viridon to build a $350 million project in Wisconsin on the strength of the developer’s cost containment commitments.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 8, 2026

Data centers were 40% of PJM capacity costs in last auction: market monitor

Data center forecasts — beyond existing data centers — made up 45% of the $47.2 billion in capacity costs in PJM’s last three capacity auctions, according to a report by Monitoring Analytics.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 7, 2026

Dominion seeks higher ROE, rate hike in South Carolina starting in July

Dominion Energy has proposed raising residential customer bills in South Carolina by about 12.7%. The utility is expecting electric demand to grow 1.2% annually for the next two decades.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 7, 2026

ERCOT’s large load queue jumped almost 300% last year

Data centers make up more than 70% of the total. The surge has “outgrown the process that was established for reviewing these large loads,” an Electric Reliability Council of Texas official said.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 6, 2026

ESIG task force recommends transmission reforms for a more reliable, efficient grid

Scenario-based planning can reduce over- and under-building, while input from state officials may ease permitting challenges later in development, experts said.

By Brian Martucci • Jan. 5, 2026

From policy to performance: The regulatory push for advanced conductors

With grids feeling the strain and modernization top of mind, regulators are turning to advanced conductors to guide utilities.

By Jason Huang, CEO, TS Conductor • Jan. 5, 2026

Why the SPEED Act may slow down after passing the House

In January, lawmakers face the expiration of a temporary government funding deal and impending midterms, complicating the bill's advancement. But observers say there is more urgency now than ever before to reform energy infrastructure permitting.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 22, 2025

Energy evolution: Meeting the demands of an AI-powered world

By pairing human expertise with AI-driven insights and forging collaborations across industries, we can build an energy ecosystem that is reliable and affordable for all, EPRI’s Remi Raphael writes.

By Remi Raphael • Dec. 19, 2025

The week in 5 numbers: PJM did it again

In other news, 2025 is shaping up to be another record year for new energy storage installations. With Ford entering the market, the industry expects continued growth, despite some bumps in the road. 

By Meris Lutz • Dec. 19, 2025

FERC orders PJM to craft large load colocation rules

The decision is a win for independent power producers with gas-fired and nuclear power plants in the PJM Interconnection, according to Capstone analysts.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 19, 2025

FERC members raise alarms about PJM failure to meet reliability target

PJM says several factors could close the capacity shortfall, including a new load forecast next month that could be significantly lower than the last due to stricter vetting of potential large loads and a reduced economic outlook.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 19, 2025

Large load tariffs could streamline interconnection by shrinking queues: Enverus

“Anyone with an acre of land they think they could put a data center on is putting in an interconnection request,” said energy research analyst Adam Robinson.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 18, 2025

SBTi opens pilot for power sector net-zero standard

The Science Based Targets initiative is looking for companies in the energy industry to test the practicality and usefulness of the draft framework.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 17, 2025

Duke University launches power sector ‘competitiveness’ dashboard for Southeast

The Southern states ranked most “competitive” all participated in regional transmission organizations or independent system operators, researchers noted.

By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 12, 2025

FERC poised to issue decision on colocating large loads in PJM

The agency’s plan to issue an order at its Dec. 18 open meeting is likely a boon for nuclear and gas-fired power plant owners that want to sell electricity to colocated data centers, analysts said.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 12, 2025

To power the AI revolution, we need a grid built for speed

Advancing AI requires utility incentive reforms that value digital upgrades like advanced metering and distributed energy resource management systems, Schneider Electric’s Jeannie Salo writes.

By Jeannie Salo • Dec. 11, 2025

PJM, others challenge large load interconnection filings at FERC

Power producer and data center trade groups, the PJM Interconnection and utilities urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reject calls for action on the grid operator’s large load rules.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 9, 2025

DTECH 2026: 5 observations ahead of the biggest grid event of the year

Ahead of DTECH 2026, power systems pioneers OATI share vision for taking utilities Into the Future with AI, DERMS and advanced controls.

By Jerry Dempsey, Executive Vice President, OATI • Dec. 8, 2025

The SPEED Act is an opportunity to align permitting policy with grid reality

Reform is overdue, and the House deserves credit for pushing it forward. But Congress should apply it to multistate transmission in its entirety, not in bits and pieces, says Christina Hayes, Grid Action executive director.

By Christina Hayes • Dec. 5, 2025

Rein in CWIP to protect ratepayers from bloated infrastructure costs: report

When utilities use “construction work in progress” accounting, “cost overruns become profit opportunities rather than financial penalties,” the authors of a Manhattan Institute brief said. They pointed to Georgia Power’s Plant Vogtle nuclear expansion as a prime example.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 5, 2025

US solicitor general tells Supreme Court to reject Duke Energy antitrust appeal

“This appeal arises out of a campaign by an established monopolist to stop a more efficient rival from disturbing its long-dominant hold over a regional energy market,” U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer said.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 4, 2025

Construction costs continue to climb as prices rise for steel, copper and switchgear

Price volatility is keeping procurement unpredictable for contractors, said Macrina Wilkins, senior research analyst at Associated General Contractors of America.

By Sebastian Obando • Dec. 3, 2025

Utilities, regulators look to accelerate pilots to achieve speed-to-innovation

Stakeholders say clear cost limits, timelines and parameters for scaling can overcome the inertia of a traditionally risk-averse industry.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 1, 2025