NAESB Focuses on Supporting DERs, Cybersecurity, Contracting, and Coordination in 2026

Electricity demand in the US is expected to exceed levels not seen since the early 2000s. Electricity consumption has grown at an average annual rate of 1.7 percent since 2020, following nearly two decades of relative stability. 1 Projections for total electricity use by the end of 2025 are expected to exceed 4 billion megawatt‐hours (MWh). 2 The increase in data centers needed to support commercial, industrial, and consumer data needs, the growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs), and the electrification of buildings, household appliances, and manufacturing are among the most significant drivers of this growth. However, some of the same factors driving energy demand could also be part of the solution for meeting demand and supporting rapid load growth in a cost‐efficient manner.