US data center electricity demand is on track to rise from 31 gigawatts in 2025 to 41 gigawatts in 2026, pushing the sector's share of peak summer power demand from 4.1 percent to 5.3 percent, according to grid and market analysts. The rapid growth is forcing utilities to rethink generation and transmission plans across much of the country.
Regional demand is uneven. Virginia remains the largest data center power market, rising 27.7 percent to 16.6 gigawatts in 2026. Texas is set to surge 35.9 percent to 13.5 gigawatts, the second highest state total. Ohio and Iowa are each expected to grow more than 50 percent, reaching 5.3 and 3.5 gigawatts respectively.
The cumulative load is significant. Analysts estimate data centers could add roughly 125 gigawatts of US electric load over the coming years, lifting overall electricity demand growth to a compound annual rate near 4.1 percent from 2026 through 2030. That tightening carries consequences for electricity prices and grid stability.
The current footprint is already large. More than 4,500 active facilities consume about 176 terawatt-hours a year, roughly 4.4 percent of US electricity, with over 700 more under construction across 38 states. Utilities are weighing new gas, nuclear, and renewable capacity along with grid upgrades to keep pace with the load growth.
Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence -- https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/articles/2026/5/surging-us-data-center-power-demand-tests-sustainability-targets-101100707