Don’t count on lower electricity prices in 2026

(The Center Square) – For 67 million people relying on electricity from the regional power grid, PJM, cheaper utility bills in 2026 are little more than a pipe dream.

It’s not an unexpected blow, despite moves from the Trump administration and state regulators to keep prices in check. Why? Because there’s simply not enough power generation – from gas and nuclear plants, wind and solar farms and battery storage reserves – to feed the grid.

PJM’s latest capacity auction, which determines power supply for the coming year, reveals rapidly rising load forecasts, primarily driven by AI-powered data centers, meaning residents across the mid-Atlantic, Washington D.C., and parts of the Midwest will pay more for a less reliable grid.

In its report on the 2027-2028 Base Residual Auction, PJM said it secured 134,479 MW of unforced capacity generation at $333.44/MW-day – an increase ...