Utilities could add 147 GW of new large loads, boosting peak demand 20%: WoodMac

Most large loads under construction are located in regulated markets, but there is growing interest in siting these projects in deregulated markets, according to a new report.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 5, 2025

FERC in Focus: Will the agency maintain its independence under Trump 2.0?

With two Republican nominees preparing to join the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, former commissioners, experts and agency observers say they are watching several key areas to gauge whether the body will remain autonomous.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 4, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

Electricity Supply and Demand

After nearly two decades of flat demand, U.S. electricity consumption reached an all-time high in 2024 and is expected to continue rising. This trendline brings together the best of Utility Dive’s coverage of emerging trends in supply and demand and the decisions being made today that will impact the power system for years to come. 

By Utility Dive staff

Hitachi unveils $1B grid manufacturing investment, including Virginia transformer factory

The new $457 million transformer production facility in South Boston, Virginia, is expected to begin operations in 2028.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 4, 2025

It’s time for customer-oriented approaches to generator interconnection

The electric power system requires seminal reform. Open access should remain a vital principle of grid regulation.

By Travis Kavulla and Eric Blank • Sept. 3, 2025

PJM stakeholders overwhelmingly pan proposal for data center interconnection

Amazon and others urged PJM to drop the proposal and instead focus on how to improve load forecasting, bolster the grid interconnection process and strengthen regional transmission planning.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 3, 2025

Rethinking transmission policy for an energy emergency

While a bidding process is often presumed to deliver consumer benefits, bidding efforts for transmission have not followed that pattern.

By Benjamin Dierker • Sept. 2, 2025

Illinois regulators, others urge FERC to dismiss Ameren push to build $1.9B in MISO projects

Ameren Illinois contends it has the right to build 765-kV transmission projects in Illinois that are part of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s Tranche 2.1 regional plan.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 28, 2025

IEP plans 944-MW behind-the-meter gas plant to power PA data center

Energy storage will be built alongside the gas plant, and there will be a backup grid connection, project partners said. It’s unclear what regulatory approvals are needed for the project to move forward.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 28, 2025

Import tariffs could slow transmission development, drive up utility costs: Morningstar

With electric bills already rising, utility regulators may shield ratepayers from tariff-related costs, analysts with the ratings agency said.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 26, 2025

TXNM Energy seeks state regulators’ approval for $11.5B Blackstone acquisition

New Mexico advocates are lining up to oppose the deal. Blackstone “has a long track record of putting profits above people,” said Mariel Nanasi, executive director of New Energy Economy.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2025

PacifiCorp urges FERC to dismiss challenges to adding $1.7B in wildfire costs to transmission rates

The Bonneville Power Administration, Powerex, Deseret Generation & Transmission Co-Operative and others contend PacifiCorp has failed to show its wildfire-related costs were prudent.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 25, 2025

How grid-enhancing technologies are shaping New York’s planning and protecting ratepayers

New technologies and planning approaches can help speed the energy transition while ensuring power system reliability and affordability.

By Schuyler Matteson • Aug. 22, 2025

Black Hills, Northwestern agree to merge, with eye on serving data centers

Data center development — and their need for major power infrastructure — may drive further consolidation among utilities, according to Jefferies analysts.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 21, 2025

Win-wins are key to securing interregional transmission buy-in: experts

Projects like CapX2020 have found success because there was “something in it for each one of the utilities ... they all saw somewhat of a common vision,” said Beth Soholt, executive director of the Clean Grid Alliance.

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 20, 2025

FERC paved the way for smart grid solutions. States must take the next step.

Grid planners can quickly squeeze more out of existing assets using grid-enhancing technology. State regulators should evaluate these options for local upgrades and longer-term regional planning.

By Rich Glick and Neil Chatterjee • Aug. 15, 2025

White House names Democrat Rosner to lead FERC

Agency observers expect the White House will replace Rosner once two pending Republican FERC nominees — Laura Swett and David LaCerte — are seated at the commission.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 14, 2025

New Jersey delays JCP&L offshore wind transmission project by 30 months

The Trump administration has moved to slow or halt the development of renewables, including New Jersey's first offshore wind project, the 1.5-GW Atlantic Shores 1.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 14, 2025

ISO-NE should make its governance transparent, accessible and accountable

With a leadership change coming in January, ISO New England has a chance to launch a new era of governance that engages with the communities it serves.

By Mireille Bejjani and Steven Botkin • Aug. 13, 2025

Multidirectional flows of power and information are the grid’s future

In the frenzy to meet rising energy demand, utilities and others often overlook the value of power system innovations, industry participants say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 12, 2025

Allete sale would help fund clean energy investment for Minnesota

The proposed sale would inject a massive infusion of private capital into Minnesota Power, capital guided by a long-term perspective rather than short-term market pressures.

By Jigar Shah • Aug. 12, 2025

PJM launches fast-track push to set rules for adding data centers

Amid surging data center development, PJM stakeholders will explore options for adding large loads to the grid without threatening reliability. PJM aims to file a proposal at FERC by the end of the year.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 12, 2025

3 Arizona utilities set peak demand records

After years of stagnant demand growth, rising electricity consumption is showing up on the U.S. power grid.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 12, 2025

Oncor has 200 GW of interconnection requests, company officials say

About 20% of the potential demand has signed contracts or is considered “high-confidence load,” CEO Allen Nye said.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 11, 2025

FERC’s Christie steps down, leaving agency with three members

The White House plans to name Commissioner David Rosner, a Democrat, as interim chairman, according to reports. One former FERC official speculated that the administration wants a majority that will support colocating data centers at power plants.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 11, 2025

We at PJM need realistic solutions, not politics, to take on energy challenges

Some public narratives have presented an inaccurate picture of the PJM Interconnection’s role in cost-effectively keeping the lights on. Here are the facts.

By Aftab Khan • Aug. 6, 2025