U.S. power grid set for 1,080 GW generation expansion by 2050

CALGARY, Alberta (Oct. 21, 2026) - Enverus Intelligence® Research (EIR), a subsidiary of Enverus, the leading energy data analytics platform, is releasing its latest long-term capacity expansion research, projecting 1,080 gigawatts (GW) of gross new power capacity across the Lower 48 states through 2050, with battery storage accounting for the largest share of additions.

EIR's report projects that total installed power capacity will increase from 1,435 GW in 2026 to 2,284 GW by 2050 as new additions outpace retirements. Battery storage leads the expansion with 376 GW of projected additions, followed by 241 GW of solar, 184 GW of natural gas and 175 GW of onshore wind.

While renewable generation and storage represent major components of the expansion, the research finds that grid reliability and rising electricity demand continue to support investment in dispatchable power. EIR projects 57 GW of new nuclear capacity after 2035, alongside continued natural gas development in regions where load growth and tightening capacity margins sustain demand for firm generation. The expansion will vary significantly across regions as resource economics, existing infrastructure and electricity demand shape technology choices.

"The scale of the projected power buildout reflects a changing resource mix across the Lower 48. Battery storage accounts for the largest share of new capacity, but natural gas and nuclear remain important where growing electricity demand and reliability requirements call for dispatchable generation. The mix of technologies will vary significantly by region," said Juan Arteaga, PhD, report author and principal analyst at EIR.

Key takeaways:

• Battery storage leads the expansion. EIR projects 376 GW of battery storage additions through 2050, ahead of solar at 241 GW, natural gas at 184 GW and onshore wind at 175 GW.
• Total installed capacity expands significantly. The Lower 48 power fleet grows from 1,435 GW in 2026 to 2,284 GW in 2050, reflecting the combined effects of new capacity additions and retirements.
• Natural gas remains important for reliability. EIR forecasts 184 GW of new gas capacity, with PJM accounting for 57 GW, ERCOT for 36 GW, MISO for 33 GW and the Southeast for 26 GW.
• Nuclear generation expands later in the forecast. EIR projects 57 GW of new nuclear capacity after 2035, including 16.5 GW in PJM, 15 GW in the Southeast and 12 GW in NYISO.
• The power transition varies by region. By 2050, wind and solar are projected to represent 88% of installed capacity in WEST and 81% in CAISO, compared with 18% in PJM and 14% in the Southeast.

EIR's analysis pulls from a variety of products including Enverus ONE™.

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About Enverus Intelligence® Research
Enverus Intelligence ® | Research, Inc. (EIR) is a subsidiary of Enverus that publishes energy-sector research focused on the oil, natural gas, power and renewable industries. EIR publishes reports including asset and company valuations, resource assessments, technical evaluations and macro-economic forecasts; and helps make intelligent connections for energy industry participants, service companies and capital providers worldwide. Enverus is the most trusted, energy-dedicated SaaS company, with a platform built to create value from generative AI, offering real-time access to analytics, insights and benchmark cost and revenue data sourced from our partnerships to 95% of U.S. energy producers, and more than 40,000 suppliers. Learn more at Enverus.com.