EIA: 80 GW of new solar, wind + storage capacity coming in 2026

Utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage will add more than 80 gigawatts (GW) of new generating capacity in the US by February 28, 2027, while total fossil fuel and nuclear power capacity will fall by almost 5 GW, according to data just released by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), which was reviewed by the SUN DAY Campaign.

Renewables’ generating capacity growth

As of March 1, 2026, renewable energy’s share of total US utility-scale (>1 megawatt (MW)) generating capacity was 33.4%. EIA projects this to grow to 36.6% by February 28, 2027. Solar will add 42,628.6 MW, expanding its share from 12.7% to 15.5%, while wind will grow by 14,507.4 MW, increasing from 13.1% to 13.6%. This includes 4,155.0 MW of new offshore wind capacity. The mix of other renewables (i.e., hydropower, biomass, and geothermal) will add 316.7 MW.  

The combined capacity growth of all renewable energy sources for the 12-month period (57,452.7 MW) is almost 75% greater than that added during the previous 12 months (32,988.9 MW).

Meanwhile, EIA projects no new nuclear generating capacity and a net decline of 4,903.2 MW in fossil fuel capacity.