As a result, electricity demand is poised to surge beyond anything seen in recent decades.

What needs to be emphasized:

This surge — driven by data center expansion, domestic manufacturing revival, and early electrification — is likely just the beginning.

It signals a larger, potentially unstoppable shift poised to transform the energy and industrial landscape.

The scale of this growth is unprecedented in recent decades and poses profound challenges for the nation’s aging grid infrastructure, which was not originally designed to accommodate such rapid increases.

While it may appear alarmist, the likelihood of a major disruption in electricity availability over the next five years is a risk that should not be underestimated.

Such a development could have systemic implications, comparable to a black swan event for global markets.

Consider the chart below — arguably one of the most critical issues policymakers must address.

It points to a looming and highly complex challenge:

We are on pace to add electricity demand equivalent to the entire current consumption of the US within just 5 years.

Equally significant is the sustained rise in Chinese electricity demand, a direct consequence of its role as the world’s manufacturing hub.

If the US pursues meaningful onshoring, it will further amplify domestic electricity consumption over the same period.

This raises a fundamental question:

Where will the additional electricity come from?

While nuclear, natural gas, solar, and coal are potential sources, an equally pressing issue remains:

Do we have the grid infrastructure needed to deliver and support this growing demand?