U.S. Power Capacity Additions To Hit Record 86 GW In 2026 Led By Solar And Storage – EIA

The United States is set to witness a record surge in new power generation capacity in 2026, according to the latest Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory report released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Power plant developers and operators plan to add 86 gigawatts (GW) of new utility-scale electric generating capacity to the national grid next year. If achieved, this would mark the highest annual addition on record.

The planned expansion follows a strong year in 2025, when 53 GW of new capacity was installed, the largest annual increase since 2002. Solar energy is expected to dominate the 2026 additions, accounting for 51% of the total planned capacity. Developers aim to install 43.4 GW of new utility-scale solar projects, representing a 60% increase compared to 2025. This would build on the record solar additions seen in 2024 and 2025.

More than half of the new solar capacity is planned in four states. Texas will lead with 40% of the total additions, followed by Arizona and California at 6% each, and Michigan at 5%. One of the largest projects expected to come online is the Tehuacana Creek 1 Solar and BESS project in Texas, which will add 837 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity along with 418 MW of battery storage.

Battery energy storage is also set for major growth. Developers plan to add 24 GW of utility-scale battery storage in 2026, compared to a record 15 GW added in 2025. Over the past five years, more than 40 GW of battery storage has been installed across the country. Texas, California, and Arizona will account for around 80% of the planned battery additions in 2026. Texas alone is expected to add nearly 12.9 GW, or 53% of the total.

Several large battery projects are scheduled to begin operations next year. These include the Lunis Creek BESS in Jackson, Texas (621 MW), the Clear Fork Creek Solar and BESS SLF in Wilson, Texas (600 MW), the Bellefield 2 Solar & Energy Storage Farm in Kern County, California (500 MW), and the Tehuacana Creek 1 project in Navarro County, Texas.

Wind power additions are also expected to rebound in 2026. Developers plan to add 11.8 GW of wind capacity, more than double last year’s additions. Key states include New Mexico, Texas, Illinois, and Wyoming, which together will contribute nearly 60% of new wind capacity. Two delayed offshore projects, Vineyard Wind 1 in Massachusetts (800 MW) and Revolution Wind in Rhode Island (715 MW), are now expected to come online in 2026. The SunZia Wind project in New Mexico, with a capacity of 3,650 MW, is set to become the largest onshore wind project in the country.

Natural gas will also see additions, with 6.3 GW planned for 2026. Most of this capacity will be located in Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio, Tennessee, and Florida, including major projects such as the Orange County Advanced Power Station in Texas and the Trumbull Energy Center in Ohio.