Reuters · 6 Oct, 17:32 · Artificial Intelligence briefing

US power use to beat record highs in 2026 and 2027 as AI use surges, EIA says

The US Energy Information Administration projects that national electricity consumption will exceed previous records in 2026 and 2027.

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The briefing

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The US Energy Information Administration projects that national electricity consumption will exceed previous records in 2026 and 2027. This surge is primarily driven by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure, which demands substantial computational power. The forecast highlights the growing energy intensity of AI data centres and their significant impact on national grids. Professionals should note this trend as it underscores the critical intersection between technological advancement and energy infrastructure, signalling potential shifts in utility demand and infrastructure investment priorities.

Employer demand for Sustainable Computing skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

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This surge in energy demand creates urgent career opportunities in grid modernisation and sustainable infrastructure. You must prioritise skills in energy management and sustainable computing to remain competitive. Professionals in engineering and project management should focus on optimising data centre efficiency and integrating renewable sources. If you work in strategy, analyse how energy constraints might affect AI deployment timelines. A smart professional would upskill in sustainable computing or project management for energy infrastructure immediately. Consider specialising in grid stability or green technology integration. This shift demands a holistic understanding of both digital innovation and physical resource limits, making cross-disciplinary expertise highly valuable.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Sustainable Computing, AI in Energy, Engineering and Project Management — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

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