The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has raised its outlook for renewable electricity generation in the United States, forecasting that clean energy will supply 27% of national power generation by 2026, up from 23% in 2024. According to the agency’s latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, the growth is driven primarily by substantial additions of utility-scale solar and wind capacity. Solar generation is expected to surpass hydropower in 2025, becoming the second-largest renewable source, while wind output is projected to rise to roughly 506 million MWh by 2026. The EIA also notes that renewable generation will increase from about 948 million MWh in 2024 to nearly 1.2 billion MWh by 2026, reflecting a strong nationwide expansion of clean-energy projects.
Regionally, Texas stands out with rapid deployment: renewable generation in ERCOT is expected to reach 216 million MWh in 2026, nearly 10% higher than earlier estimates. However, wind growth in 2024 has been slower—the weakest since 2014—though a rebound is expected over the next two years. Overall, the EIA’s updated forecast highlights a decisive upward trend for renewable energy across the United States, strengthened by project pipelines, favorable economics, and increased investment in solar and wind infrastructure.
Source: Argus Media
