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EIA Estimates Record U.S. Electric Generating Capacity Additions in 2026, with Solar in the Lead

LCG, February 20, 2026--The EIA today issued an "in-brief analysis" that estimates U.S. power plant developers and operators plan to complete a record installation of 86 GW of new, utility-scale electric generating capacity that is connected to the U.S. power grid in 2026. Last year, 53 GW of new capacity was added to the grid, which was the largest capacity installation in a single year since 2002. Thus the estimate of 86 GW of new capacity in 2026 is a whopping 33 GW greater than the year prior. It should be noted that over 20 GW of the 86 GW of new capacity this year is estimated to be completed in December.

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Enhanced Geothermal Systems May Drive Significant Growth in Geothermal Power Generation

LCG, February 19, 2026--The EIA released an "in-brief analysis" today regarding the expected completion of the first, large-scale commercial enhanced geothermal system (EGS) in June 2026, and the significant growth potential for year-round, 24x7, carbon-free, renewable EGS power generation in the United States.

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Industry News

Fudging the Numbers Made Cal Power Auction Look Good

LCG, Jan. 26, 2001When California Gov.Gray Davis announced that the average bid received by the state's Water Resources Department for electric power contracts was 6.9 cents per kilowatt-hour, he took the surprisingly low price as a sign that "we are on the right track."

It now turns out that 6.9 cents was not the average price, but what the governor's office calls a "weighted average." With only a little more candor, it might be termed a "lightened average." Yesterday, the governor's office said the $69 per megawatt-hour "average" didn't take into account power that would be delivered during periods when it was needed most.

Periods of peak demand represent a lot of the waking hours in California, and anywhere else. The 6.9 cent figure did not include power that would be delivered between noon and 8:00 p.m. in the summer and between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. in the winter.

A spokesman in the governor's office insisted there was no attempt to mislead anyone. "We're not throwing out those other bids," he said, "it's just that they're not letting that stuff out."

They had better let that stuff back in. California is expected to be even shorter on power this coming summer than it was last year. So far this winter, there have been two feeble storms in the state, and the reservoirs behind 14,000 megawatts of hydroelectric capacity are pretty empty.

The "weighted average" may have allowed the governor's office to paint a rosy picture, but it was only rosy for a day.

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