Solar power drives almost all growth in US electricity consumption

The United States (US) has managed to contain surging electricity demand triggered by the growth of data centres, largely thanks to an exceptional expansion of solar generation.

At the start of the year, electricity demand was rising at 5%, coal use was climbing, and solar generation was expanding sharply. By the end of the first nine months of 2025, demand growth had eased to 2.3%, largely absorbed by solar power, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ars Technica.

Early-year figures looked worrying: demand jumped 4.8% in the first quarter, solar output grew 44%, covering only a third of the increase. With natural gas declining, coal consumption surged 23%.

Over the next six months, demand growth slowed to 2.3% and could fall further depending on the weather. Solar growth eased to 36%, yet solar is approaching the point of keeping pace with rising demand.

Coal use is falling, down 13% in the first quarter and 7% by September, while natural gas slipped nearly 4%. Small-scale solar grew 11%, with much of the consumption behind the meter and reflected as lower demand.

Combined small-scale and utility-scale solar has surpassed hydropower and is reaching 90% of wind output. In roughly two years, solar is expected to overtake wind, together producing more electricity than nuclear. Wind meets 10% of US demand, utility-scale solar 7%, hydropower 6%, and with nuclear included, 40% of electricity comes from zero-emission sources.

California remains the flagship of US clean energy. Its solar production doubled over five years. In 2025, electricity consumption surged 8% while natural-gas use fell 17%.

Solar oversupply in spring and autumn has driven growth in battery storage, which absorbs cheap daytime power and releases it after sunset, fully neutralising potential spikes in natural-gas demand.

By Jeyhun Aghazada