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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

FERC to Review New Filings for Market-Based Rates

LCG, August 10, 2004--Last month, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued its Order on Rehearing that confirmed and clarified the new methodology to assess generation market power. For American Electric Power (AEP), Southern Company, and Entergy Corp., yesterday was the deadline to file the market power analysis using the new rules. AEP indicates that the company passes both market screens in the control areas to which AEP is directly connected, while Southern and Entergy both stated in filings that they will fail portions of the new test.

In the Order on Rehearing, the FERC stated, "Market-based rate authority is not a right. The Commission may grant such authority under the FPA only to applicants who demonstrably lack market power." Now the FERC must review the filings and determine how to proceed. At risk is the ability of each utility to sell wholesale electricity at market-based rates, rather than the incremental cost of generation.

The two screening tests analyze a market participant's total amount of uncommitted capacity available for wholesale sales in a market. The first screen is the pivotal supplier analysis, which examines a participant's generation market power during the peak hour of the year, and is based on a control areas annual peak demand. The hours leading up to that point are the most likely time that a participant will be a pivotal supplier.

The second screen is the wholesale market share analysis that examines the market share of a participant in all seasons. Both screens consider native load obligations, operating reserve requirements and other commitments of the participant's. If applicants pass both indicative screens, it is presumed that generation market power does not exist.

If the participant fails either screen, it is presumed that the generation market power exists, and the participant can then rebut the presumption with additional analyses. Alternatively, a participant may accept the presumption of market power and go directly to mitigation or inform the FERC it will adopt the default cost-base rates or propose other cost-base rates.

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