The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts a historic surge in electricity use, projecting consumption to hit 4,189 billion kWh in 2025, up from 4,097 billion in 2024. As AI‑powered data centres and electrified transport drive demand, experts warn this growth may strain the aging grid, increasing blackout risk.
Data centres and transport fuel record consumption
In its Short-Term Energy Outlook, the EIA notes that AI and crypto data centres are key growth engines, lifting residential demand to 1,517 billion kWh, commercial to 1,474 billion kWh, and industrial to 1,052 billion kWh in 2025 each marking new historical highs.
Shift in generation mix highlights energy transition
The EIA forecasts a drop in natural gas’s share of power generation from 42% to 40%, while renewables climb from 23% to 26% in 2025–2026. Coal’s contribution is expected to temporarily rise to 17% before falling in 2026. The shift underscores growing reliance on clean energy, yet raises questions about grid stability.
Outage threats rise without urgent capacity upgrades
A Department of Energy report warns that, without new capacity, U.S. blackout risk could increase up to 100‑fold by 2030, especially during peak loads in summer months. With only 22 GW of firm capacity scheduled to come online by then, regulators say grid resilience hangs in the balance.
Growing electricity demand marks a milestone in America’s energy transition. But unless the grid is modernized, surging peaks may overwhelm older infrastructure forcing a key question: will policymakers invest fast enough to keep the lights on?
