Fact Check: "Total electricity demand projected to increase by 22% by 2035"
What We Know
The claim that total electricity demand is projected to increase by 22% by 2035 lacks a direct citation from a credible source. However, the Annual Energy Outlook 2025 (AEO2025) from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) provides insights into future energy trends, including electricity demand. AEO2025 indicates that electricity consumption is expected to grow, driven by factors such as economic growth and increased demand from sectors like data centers and industrial manufacturing.
In a related report, the EIA's Short-Term Energy Outlook forecasts that electricity consumption will start growing, with a noted increase of 2% in 2024. Furthermore, a report from RMI highlights that utilities are projecting significant growth in electricity demand, particularly from data centers, which could lead to increased overall demand.
Analysis
While the AEO2025 does not explicitly state a 22% increase in electricity demand by 2035, it does suggest that electricity consumption will rise due to various factors. The AEO2025 is a reputable source, as it is developed by the EIA, which is a government agency tasked with providing reliable energy data and projections. However, the projections are based on specific assumptions and scenarios, which means they are not definitive predictions but rather modeled outcomes based on current trends and policies as of December 2024.
The RMI report corroborates the idea of increasing demand, particularly from data centers, which could significantly influence overall electricity consumption. However, the exact percentage increase is not specified, making it difficult to validate the 22% figure without further context or specific data.
On the other hand, the Center for Sustainable Systems indicates that while renewable energy is projected to grow rapidly, total energy use is expected to grow at a much slower rate of 0.2% annually. This could imply that the increase in electricity demand might not reach the 22% mark, especially if energy efficiency measures and renewable energy adoption continue to improve.
Conclusion
Needs Research. The claim that total electricity demand will increase by 22% by 2035 is not directly supported by the most recent credible sources. While there are indications of growth in electricity demand, particularly from specific sectors, the exact percentage remains unverified. Further research into the EIA's future outlooks and additional data from credible energy forecasts would be necessary to substantiate or refute this claim definitively.
Sources
- Annual Energy Outlook 2025 - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
- EIA projects 28% increase in world energy use by 2040
- PDF Annual Energy Outlook 2022 - Department of Energy
- U.S. Energy System Factsheet | Center for Sustainable Systems
- EIA extends five key energy forecasts through December 2026
- The State of Utility Planning, 2025 Q1 - RMI
- Electricity demand from U.S. data centers could more than double by 2035
