U.S. Electric Generating Capacity Expected to Reach Record High in 2026

Electric generating capacity in the United States is set to reach a record high this year (U.S. Energy Information Administration).

What’s going on: “U.S. power plant developers and operators plan to add 86 gigawatts (GW) of new utility-scale electric generating capacity to the U.S. power grid in 2026,  in our latest ‘Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory’  report, a record if realized.”

Last year, 53 GW of new capacity were added to the grid. That’s the largest single-year addition since 2002.

The expected breakdown: Developers plan to add 43.4 GW of new utility-scale solar capacity this year, a 60% increase from last year if it happens.

Also expected is an addition of 24 GW of utility-scale battery storage, compared to 15 GW added in 2025.
Wind addition to the grid has slowed in recent years, but it could rise again this year, with 11.8 GW planned.
Developers expect to add 6.3 GW in new natural gas-fired capacity, with combined-cycle generation slated to account for 3.3 GW.

Where it’s set to happen: “More than half of the new utility-scale solar capacity is planned for four states: Texas (40%), Arizona (6%), California (6%) and Michigan (5%).”

Projects in three states—Texas, California and Arizona—will compose most of the battery storage capacity added in 2026, accounting for about 80% of all new U.S. battery storage capacity. Three of the four largest projects are expected to come online in Texas.
Taken together, New Mexico, Texas, Illinois and Wyoming will account for nearly 60% of 2026 wind capacity additions. 
The vast majority—over 80%—of anticipated natural gas capacity will be in Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio, Tennessee and Florida.