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Renewable capacity additions, especially solar, will continue to drive the growth of US power generation over the next two years, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). 

According to its latest “Short-Term Energy Outlook” (STEO), the EIA expects that US utilities and independent power producers will add 26 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity to the US electric power sector in 2025 and 22 GW in 2026.

Last year, the electric power sector added a record 37 GW of solar power capacity to the electric power sector, almost double the solar capacity additions in 2023. The EIA forecasts wind capacity additions will increase by around 8 GW in 2025 and 9 GW in 2026, slight increases from the 7 GW added in 2024.

Generating capacity for most other energy sources will remain mostly unchanged in 2025 and 2026. Natural gas-fired capacity growth slowed in 2024, with only 1 GW of capacity added to the power mix, but natural gas is still the largest source of US power generation.

The EIA forecasts that US coal retirements will accelerate, removing 6% (11 GW) of coal generating capacity from the US electricity sector in 2025 and removing another 2% (4 GW) in 2026. Last year, coal retirements represented about 3 GW of electric power capacity removed from the power system, which is the lowest annual amount of coal capacity retired since 2011.

The EIA expects that planned renewable capacity additions will support most of the growth in US electric power generation, which is anticipated to increase by 2% in 2025 and by 1% in 2026. The US electric power sector produced a total of 4,155 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity in 2024, up 3% from 2023.

Natural gas. In 2024, US natural gas-fired power plants generated a total of 1,767 billion kWh, 4% more than in 2023. Natural gas-fired power accounted for around 42% of the US electricity mix, mostly unchanged compared with 2023. The EIA expects natural gas generation to decline in 2025 by 3% to 1,712 billion kWh and decrease a further 1% to 1,692 billion kWh in 2026.

Renewables. The EIA expects renewable power generation will increase by 12% in the US to 1,058 billion kWh in 2025 and increase a further 8% to 1,138 billion kWh in 2026. Renewable sources were the second-largest contributor to US power generation in 2024 and accounted for 945 billion kWh, up 9% from 2023.

Nuclear. The EIA forecasts that US nuclear power generation will grow 2% to 796 billion kWh in 2025 and increase a further 1% to 800 billion kWh in 2026. Nuclear power generation in 2024 was up slightly from 2023, totaling 781 billion kWh.

Coal. Coal electricity generation was 647 billion kWh in 2024. The EIA expects US coal power generation to remain unchanged at around 640 billion kWh in 2025 and 2026.

Read more: No other energy source came close to matching solar’s rate of growth in 2024 – in numbers


To limit power outages and make your home more resilient, consider going solar with a battery storage system. In order to find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and you share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

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One of South Dakota’s largest wind farms just got the green light

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One of South Dakota's largest wind farms just got the green light

South Dakota’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has approved a 260-megawatt (MW) wind farm that will become one of the largest in the wind-friendly state.

Invenergy is developing the 68-turbine South Deuel Wind Energy Center on 29,000 acres in Deuel County in the state’s northeast. When it comes online in Q4 2026, it will be capable of powering more than 103,000 US households. Construction is expected to begin late this summer.

In 2021, Invenergy completed the 109-turbine Deuel Harvest Wind Farm (pictured), six miles north of South Deuel, which it sold to Atlanta-based Southern Power.

Invenergy says the new South Dakota wind farm will pump $78 million into landowner payments over the next 30 years, while local governments will see $38 million in property tax revenue. On the jobs front, the project is expected to create 243 construction jobs and support eight long-term operational roles.

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South Dakota is one of the most wind-friendly states in the US. In 2023, wind provided 55% of South Dakota’s total electricity generation, a larger share than any other state except Iowa, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Wind exceeded hydropower’s contribution to South Dakota’s in-state electricity generation for the first time in 2021, and it generated nearly three times as much electricity as hydropower in the state in 2023. In the same year, renewables generated 77% of South Dakota’s total in-state electricity net generation (including small-scale solar).

Read more: Offshore wind roars back in 2025 with 19 GW of additions and China in the lead


To limit power outages and make your home more resilient, consider going solar with a battery storage system. In order to find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and you share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

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Elon protests turn violent as arsonists set fire to Tesla cars, Plus: 2026 Chevy Spark

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Elon protests turn violent as arsonists set fire to Tesla cars, Plus: 2026 Chevy Spark

On today’s fiery episode of Quick Charge, it’s all bad news for Elon as Tesla sales continue to plunge in Europe, the pump fails to stop the TSLA stock price slide, and people set fire to dealers. Plus: BMW takes the top two spots in the J.D. Power EV owner satisfaction survey.

Tesla shareholders were hoping today’s claims of 10x growth in the coming years would help goose TSLA stock prices, but they slid instead as BMW took the top two spots in the J.D. Power EV owner satisfaction survey and GM launched an all-new, affordable Chevy Spark EUV.

Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple PodcastsSpotifyTuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded, usually, Monday through Thursday (and sometimes Sunday). We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage daily news.

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Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show.

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Kia EV4 GT looks like the affordable electric sports car we’ve been waiting for [Video]

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Kia EV4 GT looks like the affordable electric sports car we've been waiting for [Video]

Less than a week after Kia unveiled the EV4, we are already getting our first look at the sporty GT model. When it arrives, the GT variant is expected to be one of the most affordable electric sports cars and what could be Kia’s most powerful vehicle yet. But can it keep up with the Tesla Model 3 Performance?

The EV4 is Kia’s first electric sedan and hatchback. During its EV Day last week (see our recap), Kia showcased four EV4 models, two sedan and two hatchback trims.

Each had a standard and GT-Line model. Now, we are getting our first look at the high-performance GT version. Remember when the EV6 GT arrived in 2022 as “the most powerful Kia production vehicle ever?”

With 576 horsepower, the sporty EV6 GT can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. That’s faster than your average Ferrari or Lamborghini, and it’s about half the cost starting at just over $60,000.

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Well, the EV4 GT will likely be an even bigger hit with an expected lower price tag and what could be even more power.

After Kia’s electric sports car was spotted in public for the first time, we are learning a few upgrades you can expect to see. The video, courtesy of HealerTV, shows a camouflaged model testing in Korea. However, the orange light on the side of the bumper indicates it is actually an export model.

First look at the Kia EV4 GT electric sports car

At a quick glance, it looks just like the EV4 GT-Line. Looking closer, you can see Kia upgraded the EV4 with sporty wheels (what appears to be 20″), giving it a similar look to the K8.

The interior will feature Kia’s new ccNC (connected car Navigation Cockpit), which includes dual 12.3″ driver display and infotainment screens with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Kia EV4 spotted for the first time in Korea (Source: HealerTV)

You can expect to see the most significant differences in the interior and in performance. Like Kia’s other GT models, the EV4 is expected to feature a dual-motor AWD powertrain, but exact specs will be revealed closer to its official launch.

The upgraded EV6 GT, launched in Korea in November, now packs 641 horsepower and 561 lb-ft of torque (when Launch Control is active), thanks to improved front and rear electric motors.

It also gets redesigned front and rear bumpers, suede-trimmed sport bucket seats, and a heat pump (standard on all AWD trims).

Like Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 N, the new EV6 GT includes a Virtual Gear Shift (VGS) that simulates the sounds and feel of a sports car engine. We got a look at it in action in December after HealerTV got their hands on one to try it out.

Kia-EV4-interior
Kia EV4 interior (Source: Kia)

We’ll have to wait for the official word on prices, but with the EV4 slotted below the EV6 in Kia’s lineup, the GT model will likely cost around $50,000 to $55,000. That’s much less than your average sports car. The standard EV4 is expected to hit the market later this year, starting at around $35,000 to $40,000.

In comparison, the Tesla Model 3 Performance AWD starts at $54,990 with 510 horsepower, good for a 0 to 60 mph sprint in 2.9 seconds.

Would you buy Kia’s electric sports car for around $50,000? Drop us a comment below and let us know what features and specs you’d be looking for. Check back soon for more. We’ll keep you updated with the latest.

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