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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

Repowered Colorado Nuke Provides 720 Megawatts

LCG, June 13, 2001Xcel Energy Inc. said yesterday that its Public Service Co. of Colorado subsidiary's conversion of the decommissioned Fort St. Vrain nuclear power plant to operate on natural gas has been completed and the facility is producing 720 megawatts of much-needed power.

Fort St. Vrain was a 366 megawatt high temperature, gas-cooled reactor completed in 1979. The unusual design almost all U.S. commercial reactors are water-cooled was plagued with problems and the plant was permanently shut down in 1989. In 1996, it became the first U.S. nuclear plant to complete decommissioning.

But the infrastructure was still there the switchyard, interconnection with the grid and most of all the steam turbine-driven generator. Since decommissioning, three gas-fueled turbine generators of 140 megawatts each have been installed and a heat recovery steam generator that will provide steam to spin the original generator.

Public Service Co. will need the power. Since 1990, its customer base has grown 20 percent and the average residential customer is using 12 percent more power. There has been concern that Colorado could suffer a supply problem similar to that which caused California's energy crisis.

"Our customers want to know whether we'll face the same situation here. I'm pleased to say that we don't expect to, and the fully repowered Fort St. Vrain station is one of the largest reasons why I am so confident," said Cynthia Evans, an Xcel vice president.

Fort St. Vrain is expected to provide about 12 percent of Xcel's demand in Colorado, David Wilks,president of energy supply for Xcel, told reporters.

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