Top PNW Energy Stakeholders Convene as Electricity Demand Expected to Surge by Over 30% in the Next Decade

 

 

 

U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) convened with regional energy stakeholders on Monday in Seattle to discuss technological and policy solutions to address the current demand estimations. Stakeholders included utility groups, officials from the U.S. Department of Energy and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, climate tech companies, and directors of nonprofit organizations.

A report by the Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Commitee predicts that over the next decade, the region’s electricity needs are projected to increase by over 30% (an increase of 7,400 average megawatts, equivalent to having to meet the electricity demand of about seven cities the size of Seattle). This demand is up from the projection the previous year of 24%. The increase is attributed to factors such as data center development, high-tech manufacturing growth, and the continued trend toward electrification.

Read more here:

• Press Releases | News | U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington (senate.gov)
• Projected 30% spike in electricity demand in 10 years supercharges energy summit in Seattle – GeekWire
• Northwest Regional Forecast – Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee (pnucc.org)