US utilities plan 147 GW in new high-load capacity by 2035

US utilities anticipate a rapid increase in high-intensity loads, targeting 147 GW of new capacity by 2035, with a strategic shift toward deregulated markets.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

US utilities are planning a substantial expansion in high-load capacity, with 116 gigawatts (GW) already committed or under construction—equal to 15.5% of the country’s current peak demand. Including projects in advanced discussions or short-term forecasts, the total potential reaches 147 GW, representing 20% of estimated peak demand.

Nearly 60 GW of this capacity is expected to be operational by 2030, according to utility forecasts. By 2035, approximately 93 GW could be in service. Beyond this point, few official announcements have been made, indicating either a slowdown or lack of long-term visibility.

Shift toward deregulated markets

While nearly all of the 17 GW currently under construction is located in regulated markets, upcoming projects are increasingly directed toward deregulated ones. Approximately 46% of committed but unbuilt capacity and 35% of capacity in advanced discussion is planned for these areas, with notable concentrations in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and PJM Interconnection regions.

This shift raises concerns about supply stability and potential tariff impacts on non-industrial customers. Several local regulatory authorities, including those in Texas and the PJM zone, have already taken action to address risks associated with this market evolution.

Declining visibility on long-term projects

The share of so-called “high-confidence” projects has declined despite occasional increases, as new requests consistently outpace the progress or withdrawal of existing ones. This imbalance increases uncertainty regarding the actual materialisation of committed projects.

The rise of data centres is adding further pressure to the grid. For projects exceeding 300 megawatts (MW), the average time to reach contracted capacity often exceeds four years, based on available data. This timeline further complicates infrastructure planning efforts.

Connectivity and timing of load activation

The speed at which data centres are connected to the grid does not guarantee immediate load activation. The actual timing of peak consumption depends largely on internal strategies of data centre developers, whose deployment timelines vary significantly between projects.

This uncertainty around activation timelines presents structural challenges for grid operators, particularly in deregulated markets, which may need to adjust planning mechanisms to accommodate this growing high-intensity demand.

Talks on the Net-Zero Framework, which seeks to regulate greenhouse gas pricing on marine fuels, have been postponed until 2026 following a majority vote initiated by Saudi Arabia.
Liberty Energy warns about the impact of import duties on drilling and power equipment, pointing to a potential obstacle to federal goals related to artificial intelligence and energy independence.
Enedis will progressively reorganise off-peak hour time slots from 1 November, impacting 14.5 million customers by 2027, under new rules set by the Energy Regulatory Commission.
A report highlights the financial burden of fossil imports during the energy crisis and points to electrification as key to European energy security.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a review of public funding for renewable energy, without changing national targets, to avoid rent-seeking effects and better regulate the use of public funds.
The 2025 edition of the Renewable Electricity System Observatory warns of the widening gap between French energy ambitions and industrial reality, requiring immediate acceleration of investments in solar, wind and associated infrastructure.
Kogi State Electricity Distribution Limited reported a ₦1.3bn ($882,011) loss due to power fraud, threatening its operational viability in Kogi State.
More than 40 developers will gather in Livingstone from 26 to 28 November to turn Southern Africa’s energy commitments into bankable and interconnected projects.
Citepa projections confirm a marked slowdown in France's climate trajectory, with emissions reductions well below targets set in the national low-carbon strategy.
The United States has threatened economic sanctions against International Maritime Organization members who approve a global carbon tax on international shipping emissions.
Global progress on electricity access slowed in 2024, with only 11 million new connections, despite targeted efforts in parts of Africa and Asia.
A parliamentary report questions the 2026 electricity pricing reform, warning of increased market exposure for households and a redistribution mechanism lacking clarity.
The US Senate has confirmed two new commissioners to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, creating a Republican majority that could reshape the regulatory approach to national energy infrastructure.
The federal government launches a CAD3mn call for proposals to fund Indigenous participation in energy and infrastructure projects related to critical minerals.
Opportunities are emerging for African countries to move from extraction to industrial manufacturing in energy technology value chains, as the 2025 G20 discussions highlight these issues.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global renewable power capacity could more than double by 2030, driven by the rise of solar photovoltaics despite supply chain pressures and evolving policy frameworks.
Algeria plans to allocate $60 billion to energy projects by 2029, primarily targeting upstream oil and gas, while developing petrochemicals, renewables and unconventional resources.
China set a record for clean technology exports in August, driven by surging sales of electric vehicles and batteries, with more than half of the growth coming from non-OECD markets.
A night-time attack on Belgorod’s power grid left thousands without electricity, according to Russian local authorities, despite partial service restoration the following morning.
The French Academy of Sciences calls for a global ban on solar radiation modification, citing major risks to climate stability and the world economy.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.