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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

Cal-ISO Appoints Itself Power Plant Watchdog

LCG, Nov. 30, 2001--The California independent System operator, which has had trouble explaining its role to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, has decided to appoint itself watchdog for power plant maintenance and availability in California.

Cal-ISO's board of governors decided yesterday that the agency should set up strict maintenance standards and an enforcement program to make sure owners keep their power plants in good shape and able to deliver electricity whenever the ISO says to do so.

Cal-ISO will have to ask FERC's approval to begin the program next spring.

Power producers and possibly FERC could find objectionable a part of the Cal-ISO plan that would permit it to conduct "surprise" inspections of power plants to make sure maintenance routines are being followed. The cops can't inspect your home without a warrant.

The maintenance standard would be based on records kept by the state's three investor-owned utilities when they owned the plants.

"If you bought a used car, you'd sure like to get the maintenance records and the owner's manual with it," said Phil Pettingill, manager of transmission facilities for the ISO. The analogy won't wash.

If we bought a used car, we'd like the maintenance records and the owner's manual, but we wouldn't share them with a state bureaucrat who wanted to tell us when to drive the car.

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