US utilities to face significant challenge as power demand surges for the first time in decades

LONDON and HOUSTON and SINGAPORE, Oct. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- US power demand has remained essentially flat for the past decade, but this is all about to change as a pending surge in demand growth will be the biggest challenge for utility companies in decades, according to the latest Horizons report from Wood Mackenzie.

According to the report, “Gridlock: the demand dilemma facing the US power industry” US electricity demand growth will be between 4% and 15% through 2029, depending on the region, with burgeoning data-centre development, a resurgence in energy-intensive US manufacturing, and greater transport and heating electrification driving electricity demand growth not seen since the 1990s. Demand growth rates for individual utilities may be much higher as the demand being added to the grid is not evenly spread and one large load can have a significant impact on the growth of individual utilities.

All of this will prove a major challenge for utilities to adapt and provide interconnection and new supply, as well as companies with large electricity needs to sustain growth.

“In most industries, demand growth of 2-3% per year would be easily managed and welcomed,” said Chris Seiple, Vice Chairman of power and renewables with Wood Mackenzie. “In the power sector, however, new infrastructure planning takes 5 to 10 years, and the industry is only now starting to plan for growth.

“Moreover, most state public utility commissioners have little experience of regulating in a growth environment. And as technology C-suites realise that energy may be the largest constraint on their growth, they are shocked as businesses that move at light speed learn about the pace at which electric utilities move.”

Demand drivers

Data centers and the burgeoning artificial intelligence industry have become main drivers of activity, with Wood Mackenzie identifying 51 GW of new data-centre capacity announcements since January 2023. In the Horizons report, Wood Mackenzie has considered a scenario in which electricity demand from data centres grows by a mid-range estimate of 15% per year over the next five years, which is about 25 GW of new data centre capacity

Data centers will be competing with a resurgence in US manufacturing, particularly in the areas of battery, solar wafers and cells and semiconductors, which are projected to add up to15,000 MW of high-load-factor demand over the next few years

Lastly, the wider electrification of the economy will drive demand, with electric vehicle use continuing to grow and electrolysers connecting to the grid potentially adding another 7,000 MW of demand through 2030.

2024-29 GWh demand growth as a percentage of 2024 GWh demand


Capacity constraints

Many constraints are impacting the system’s ability to meet this demand growth, such as coal plant retirements, the lack of transformers and breakers needed to interconnect new plants and large loads, and the slow pace at which interconnection studies are completed and transmission capacity is added to the grid. From now to 2030, Wood Mackenzie forecasts annual utility-scale renewable additions to grow from around 29 GW to 40 GW per year.

“The constraint is not the demand for renewables, but the ability to get through permitting, interconnection and building out the transmission system accordingly,” said Seiple. “All things being equal, our renewable forecast additions would accommodate electricity demand growth of about 2% per year. If renewables are only able to barely match the pace of demand growth, it means we won’t be decarbonizing the power sector.”

A new paradigm, with upward pressure on price

Little demand growth the last 15 years in the US and some new supply from renewables has kept wholesale power prices lower, but this may change.

“With new demand growth comes a new era,” said Seiple. “Electricity prices will be under upward pressure. Valuations of fossil and nuclear assets are increasing as the market absorbs this new paradigm. More announcements of deferred coal plant retirements and efforts to reopen previously closed nuclear plants may follow. What will be most interesting is how this plays out in markets where there is no retail choice versus markets where it does exist.”

The report concludes that transmission planning, permitting and construction are the biggest bottlenecks to meeting future demand growth. It will take an integrated approach from utilities, regulators and policymakers to meet this challenge and buildout needed to protect US national security, boost strategic economic growth and decarbonise the power sector to address climate change.

“This will be a major challenge. The last time the US electricity industry saw unexpected new demand growth like this was during World War II,” said Seiple. “Between 1939 and 1944, manufacturing output tripled, and electricity demand rose 60%. It was a closely coordinated national effort that brought together industry and policymakers to address the challenge and find innovation along the way. A similar effort is needed now.”

Read the entire report here.

For further information please contact Wood Mackenzie’s media relations team:

Mark Thomton
+1 630 881 6885
Mark.thomton@woodmac.com

Hla Myat Mon
+65 8533 8860  
hla.myatmon@woodmac.com 

The Big Partnership (UK PR agency)
woodmac@bigpartnership.co.uk

You have received this news release from Wood Mackenzie because of the details we hold about you. If the information we have is incorrect you can either provide your updated preferences by contacting our media relations team. If you do not wish to receive this type of email in the future, please reply with 'unsubscribe' in the subject header.  

About Wood Mackenzie

Wood Mackenzie is the global insight business for renewables, energy and natural resources. Driven by data. Powered by people. In the middle of an energy revolution, businesses and governments need reliable and actionable insight to lead the transition to a sustainable future. That’s why we cover the entire supply chain with unparalleled breadth and depth, backed by over 50 years’ experience in natural resources. Today, our team of over 2,000 experts operate across 30 global locations, inspiring customers’ decisions through real-time analytics, consultancy, events and thought leadership. Together, we deliver the insight they need to separate risk from opportunity and make bold decisions when it matters most. For more information, visit woodmac.com.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/12b17ac1-cdb5-4972-9b81-93f36e7ec4c9


US utilities to face significant challenge as power demand surges for the first time in decades

TIN LIÊN QUAN

Particleboard Market Expected to Grow at 5.2% CAGR Till

NEW YORK, March 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IndexBox, a leading market research firm, has released its latest report on the global wooden particle board...

Power Transformer Market is Projected to Reach USD 34,510.0

Power Transformer Market Growth Boost by Rise In Transmission And Distribution Infrastructure Investments...

Chillers Market Expected to Hit US$ 4.8 Billion by 2026

Chicago, Feb. 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global chillers Market is projected to grow from USD 4.1 billion in 2021 to USD 4.8 billion by 2026, at a...

The Saudi Arabian Foodservice Market is anticipated to

Hyderabad, March 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a new market research report titled “Saudi Arabia Foodservice Market-2023-2028', the Saudi...

Avionics Market to Hit USD 75.81 Billion by 2027 | At a

Companies Covered in Avionics Market are Avilution LLC (The U.S.), BAE Systems (The U.K.), CCX Technologies (Canada), Cobham PLC (The U.K.), Collins...

THỦ THUẬT HAY

Hướng dẫn download phim từ Netflix trong Windows 10

Gần đây, Netflix đã hỗ trợ tải phim trên các thiết bị Windows, do đó, bạn có thể xem phim offline trên PC hoặc laptop một cách dễ dàng. Dưới đây, chúng tôi sẽ hướng dẫn bạn đọc cách tải phim từ Netflix trong Windows 10.

Làm cách nào để chỉnh thời gian tắt màn hình Win XP/7/ 8/ 8.1/ 10 nhanh nhất.

Theo như mặc định thì Windows sẽ tắt màn hình sau 10 phút, chuyển về chế độ Sleep sau 30 phút khi máy tính không làm việc nhưng bạn hoàn toàn có thể chỉnh thời gian tắt màn hình phù hợp với nhu cầu công việc hay yêu

Làm sao để dùng thử miễn phí Windows 10 S một cách an toàn?

Windows 10 S là phiên bản mới của Microsoft tương tự như Windows 10. Hai phiên bản này tương đối giống nhau chỉ khác một điều là bạn chỉ có thể chạy các ứng dụng từ Windows Store trong Windows 10 S. Hôm nay, Quản Trị

Dùng USB làm bộ nhớ RAM ảo cho máy tính có tốt không?

Thủ thuật dùng USB làm RAM ảo cho máy tính để tăng tốc và cải thiện hiệu suất máy tính chỉ nên là một giải pháp tình thế, tạm thời. Tại sao?

Cách tiết kiệm 3G khi xem Youtube trên điện thoại Android

Hãy theo dõi bài viết sau của chúng tôi chia sẻ một mẹo nhỏ để tiết kiệm dung lượng 3G khi xem Youtube trên điện thoại Android

ĐÁNH GIÁ NHANH

Đánh giá chi tiết TOP 10 Smartwatch đáng mua nhất 2023: Ngon - Bổ - Rẻ

Trong thời đại hiện nay, với sự phát triển ngày càng mạnh mẽ của công nghệ số, nhu cầu sử dụng các thiết bị hiện đại của con người càng tăng cao. Đồng hồ giờ đây không chỉ đơn thuần là một công cụ đo thời gian, mà nó

Mở hộp Galaxy J7 Pro xanh ánh bạc - smartphone tầm trung khẩu độ f/1.7 "khủng" nhất hiện nay

Mặc dù phải đến ngày 7/7/2017 thì những chiếc J7 Pro mới đến tay khách hàng đầu tiên nhưng hôm nay TECHRUM đã có trên tay phiên bản thương mại của sản phẩm này. Mời các bạn cùng xem một số hình ảnh mở hộp và cận cảnh

[Đánh giá] Razer Lancehead TE: đối xứng và đằm tay, cảm biến xịn, phần mềm chưa hoàn chỉnh, giá cao

Razer Lancehead Tournament Edition (Lanchead TE) có thiết kế mới mẻ, thể hiện sự trở lại của đội 3 đầu rắn xanh với form đối xứng (ambidextrous) và sử dụng cảm biến tương tự DeathAdder Elite. Như tên gọi Tournament