Press Release

CORRECTION: PUC Power Outlook Highlights Changing Electricity Demand as Large Loads Reshape Future Forecasts (Corrected forecast percentages)

Published on 9/1/2026

Filed under: Electric

Pennsylvania electricity use remained relatively flat in 2025, while data centers and other large loads drive sharply higher future projections

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania's electricity needs could change substantially over the next several years as rapidly growing demand from data centers and other large-load customers combines with broader regional challenges involving electric generation, transmission and resource adequacy, according to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission's (PUC) latest Electric Power Outlook Report.

The annual report shows residential and commercial electricity demand growing modestly through 2030, while industrial usage is projected to increase an average 18.56% annually – driven primarily by anticipated large-load customers.

"Pennsylvania's electricity needs have been relatively stable for years, but large new loads have the potential to fundamentally change that picture," said PUC Chairman Steve DeFrank. "That makes accurate forecasting and careful planning more important than ever. We need a clear picture of what demand is actually coming and sufficient generation and transmission to reliably serve that growth, while continuing to protect existing consumers from unreasonable costs."

Large Loads Reshape Pennsylvania Forecasts

Pennsylvania's total electricity consumption decreased 0.24% in 2025 compared with 2024, even as the number of electric customers increased approximately 0.4%.

Looking ahead, however, forecasts submitted by Pennsylvania's major electric distribution companies (EDCs) show sharply different growth rates among customer classes.

Over the five-year forecast period, average annual electricity usage is projected to increase approximately:

• 0.52% for residential customers
• 0.32% for commercial customers
• 18.56% for industrial customers

The projected industrial increase is driven primarily by anticipated large-load customers, particularly data centers.

The most dramatic projected growth is in the PPL Electric Utilities service territory, where total electricity usage is forecast to increase an average 20.51% annually and industrial usage an average 51.05% annually through 2030. The report notes that the projected industrial increase is almost entirely attributable to anticipated large data centers.

The PUC emphasizes that these figures are forecasts, not guarantees of future electricity demand. Large-load projects can change because of economic conditions, financing, construction schedules, technology and other factors. The Power Outlook also notes that PPL's projected load growth does not, by itself, indicate a future capacity shortfall in either the PPL service territory or the broader PJM region.

Regional Reliability Challenges

The changing demand picture comes as Pennsylvania and the broader PJM region continue focusing on the resources and infrastructure needed to maintain reliable electric service.

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation's latest long-term assessment projects that PJM's anticipated reserve margin could fall below its required reserve margin in 2029, reflecting the combined effects of growing electricity demand, generation retirements and the pace at which new resources are entering service.

At the same time, Pennsylvania continues to be one of the nation's leading electricity-producing states. Generating capacity in the Commonwealth increased from 45,096 megawatts (MW) in 2024 to 45,733 MW in 2025, and no Pennsylvania generators submitted notices of deactivation during 2025.

Investment in the regional transmission system is also increasing. PJM's 2025 Regional Transmission Expansion Plan identified approximately $3.56 billion in transmission projects in Pennsylvania, compared with $1.64 billion identified in the previous year's plan.

"Growth brings opportunity, but reliability depends on generation, transmission and demand moving together," Chairman DeFrank said. "As Pennsylvania's electricity needs evolve, we need to make sure the infrastructure necessary to serve that growth can keep pace – and that the costs associated with major new loads are appropriately addressed rather than simply shifted to existing families and businesses."

Planning for a Changing Electric System

The findings in the 2026 Power Outlook reinforce several areas where the PUC has increased its focus as Pennsylvania's electric landscape evolves.

The Commission has expanded its examination of long-term electric load forecasting, including requesting longer-range demand and peak-load projections from Pennsylvania EDCs, while continuing its work addressing large-load customers and examining the generation and transmission resources needed to reliably serve Pennsylvania consumers.

These efforts reflect the increasing importance of understanding not only how much electricity may be needed, but also where and when that demand could materialize, so utilities, grid operators and regulators can better evaluate the infrastructure needed to serve it.

"The scale and speed of potential change make good information especially important," Chairman DeFrank said. "Better forecasting leads to better planning, and better planning helps us make sound decisions about reliability, infrastructure and costs. Our focus remains on ensuring that Pennsylvania can accommodate economic growth while protecting the reliability and affordability that consumers depend on."

About the Electric Power Outlook 

The Electric Power Outlook for Pennsylvania 2025-2030 is prepared annually by the PUC's Bureau of Technical Utility Services. The report examines electricity usage and projected demand among Pennsylvania's jurisdictional electric distribution companies and incorporates regional information on generation, transmission and reliability.

The 2026 Electric Power Outlook, along with past reports issued since 2002, are available on the Electric Power Outlook Report section of the PUC website.

About the PUC

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC’s website at puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
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  nhagen-fre@pa.gov
• David Hixson
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