What are the EIA's projected U.S. electricity consumption levels for 2026 and 2027, and what key drivers are cited for this growth?

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects U.S. electricity consumption will rise from a record 4,195 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2025 to 4,269 billion kWh in 2026 and 4,399 billion kWh in 2027. This growth is driven primarily by AI-hungry data centers and cryptocurrency operations, as well as broader electrification trends — including increased electricity use for heating and transportation in homes and businesses replacing fossil fuels.

How does the EIA forecast the shift in electricity demand across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors in 2026 compared to 2025?

The EIA forecasts that in 2026, residential electricity sales will ease slightly to 1,508 billion kWh — down from the all-time high of 1,515 billion kWh in 2025 — while commercial sector sales will rise to 1,550 billion kWh, surpassing residential demand for the first time on record and up from 1,493 billion kWh in 2025; industrial sales will increase marginally to 1,065 billion kWh, just above the 1,064 billion kWh recorded in 2000.

US Power Use to Beat Record Highs in 2026 and 2027 as AI Use Surges, EIA Says

Jul 7, 2026

The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects record power consumption growth through 2027, driven by AI data centers and electrification. Industrial natural gas demand is expected to rise while coal generation share declines.

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