Soaring solar and a surge in hydro push more coal off the US grid

The US grid is experiencing a return to normal patterns with renewables pushing coal off the grid, despite initial fears of data-center-driven demand surges. Overall demand grew only 1.5 percent in Q1 2026, with solar and hydroelectric production increases offsetting coal usage. Unusual weather conditions, particularly early snowpack melting in the western US, have contributed to the hydroelectric surge.