US Expands Fossil Fuel Buildout to 30% of New Capacity as Power Demand Surges
Updated
Updated · The Verge · Oct 19
US Expands Fossil Fuel Buildout to 30% of New Capacity as Power Demand Surges
3 articles · Updated · The Verge · Oct 19
Summary
New U.S. fossil-fuel projects rose from 5% of planned new power capacity in 2024 to 30% by Q2 2026, the highest buildout pace in more than a decade, an EDF-Atlas report said.
Rising electricity demand from data centers, factories and electric vehicles is driving the shift, while the Trump administration has slowed wind and solar through stop-work orders, permit blocks and lost tax incentives.
By 2030, planned fossil capacity could reach 68 gigawatts—up 45% from six months ago—and, if the trend holds, fossil fuels could account for 70% of the development pipeline by decade-end.
Renewables still look cheaper: new utility-scale solar and wind average $68-$69 per megawatt-hour versus about $90 for new combined-cycle gas, even as renewable projects are being canceled more often than fossil ones.
The report warns that completing the gas pipeline of projects could lock in higher emissions and electricity costs for decades as utilities already raise bills to fund grid and generation upgrades.