U.S. electricity demand is projected to grow through the end of next year in large part due to an influx of data centers, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said Tuesday.
One percent growth this year and a 3 percent bump for 2027 would cap the largest four-year increase in power demand since 2000, the EIA said.
Artificial intelligence and data centers have become a political flash point amid a debate over what is driving electricity prices higher. President Donald Trump’s top officials have focused on policies they say will tamp down energy costs while juggling his push for securing more AI investment.
Energy demand from data centers combined with expanded liquefied natural gas exports will make shoring up those supplies “critical,” EIA Administrator Tristan Abbey said in a statement. He said natural gas production remains “strong” and projected output to grow to 109 billion cubic feet per day this year.
