US electricity demand is projected to reach record levels in both 2026 and 2027, with the EIA (U.S. energy statistics agency) forecasting consumption of 4,288 billion kilowatt-hours in 2026 and 4,356 billion kWh in 2027, up from a record 4,195 billion kWh in 2025. Data centers serving artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency operations are a major source of the increase, alongside higher electricity use by homes and businesses as they reduce fossil-fuel consumption for heating and transportation. The EIA expects 2026 power sales to total 1,541 billion kWh for residential customers, 1,549 billion kWh for commercial customers and 1,055 billion kWh for industrial customers. Renewable generation is forecast to rise to 25% of the mix in 2026 and 27% in 2027, while coal declines to 16% and 15%, respectively. Natural gas is projected to hold a 40% share in 2026 before slipping to 39% in 2027, while nuclear remains at 18%.