America’s largest power grid operators are planning for an unprecedented surge in electricity demand not seen in decades. Electricity consumption is projected to rise from 4,195 billion kilowatt-hours in 2025 to 4,399 billion kilowatt-hours by 2027, equivalent to a continuous load of 23 gigawatts. This growth is driven by the convergence of AI data centers, electric vehicles, manufacturing revival, and crypto mining operations. Crypto mining accounts for 0.6% to 2.3% of US electricity consumption, but its flexibility allows miners to scale down during peak demand periods, acting as a buffer for the grid. Capital expenditure plans exceed $1.4 trillion over the next five years to upgrade infrastructure.
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