Normally, we update you quarterly on the US electric grid, but I was MIA when last month’s data came in, so here’s a belated seven-month snapshot of 2026 trends. The headline: energy use is rising, but not as quickly as you might think. Data centres and electrification are putting a strain on the grid, but electricity use has grown by only 2% compared to the same period last year, down from 3% the year before.

Efficiency gains and data centres generating their own power might be driving this slowdown. Despite the growth in demand, we’re not yet at apocalyptic levels. However, the other big story in recent years has been the explosive growth of solar power. After seeing year-over-year increases of over 30% in many quarters, we're now seeing a smaller increase in generation. Growth rates are inevitably slowing as the installed base gets larger.

This slowdown is significant. Solar’s growth has been a key part of the global shift towards renewable energy, and a slowdown could mean a shift in focus towards other technologies. But for now, the growth in demand hasn’t reached apocalyptic levels. The grid is still under pressure, but the pace of change in energy use is easing.

The question for humanity is whether this slowdown is a sign of a broader shift in renewable energy trends or just a temporary lull. For now, the sun is still shining, but its intensity is waning.