What’s Next for US Power Markets

December 30, 2025 Rising prices, rising capex: what's ahead for the US power sector in 2026 Power prices climb, utilities face cost debate Electricity demand rises with data center growth Utilities plan $1 trillion capex, renewables outlook US power prices are climbing, pushing utilities to the forefront of a national debate over the cost of living. Demand for electricity is growing, and is set to accelerate as tech companies race to build massive data centers to support AI and other technologies. These trends have power providers, regulators and grid operators scrambling to accommodate and prepare. So what can we see expect to see in the US power and utility sector in 2026? In this episode, Dan Testa speaks with Travis Miller, a senior financial analyst at Morningstar Securities Research, and Sam Huntington, research director on the North American power team for S&P Global Energy CERA, to get their perspectives. The discussion digs into the factors driving power prices, utility capital expenditure plans topping $1 trillion, the outlook for renewable power and gas plants in key markets, and how AI is drawing a different kind of investor to utility stocks. US-Israeli Conflict with Iran