Vermont Business Magazine In recent years, New England’s electric grid has seen the highest energy demand in the summer, driven by air conditioning. But that pattern is starting to change.
Over the next decade, winter electricity demand is expected to grow, and by 2035, it could match summer peaks as home heating systems and vehicles switch to electric power.
That shift is one key finding from ISO New England’s newly released 2026-2035 CELT Report, which projects regional electricity consumption will increase roughly 9% over the next decade. The growth is driven largely by the electrification of heating systems and transportation.
This forecast is slightly lower than last year’s projections, reflecting refinements on the pace of electric vehicle and heat pump adoption amid evolving policy and market signals.
This year’s report uses advanced hourly modeling to capture when and how electricity is used, accounting for the growth of solar panels on rooftops, as well as electric vehicles and heat pumps that can impact seasonal demand patterns.
While New England has not seen the same level of large load growth as other regions, such as data centers, the ISO is actively working to incorporate these emerging trends into the CELT forecast.
Why it Matters:
Understanding not just how much electricity demand is growing, but when it occurs, is critical for the ISO to plan for a reliable grid as electrification, as new technologies reshape how energy is used.
Key Takeaways:
- Electricity demand is expected to grow ~9% over the next decade (~0.9% annually)
- Electrification of heating and transportation is the main driver of growth
- Winter peak demand is rising and could rival summer peaks by 2035
- Rooftop solar panels continue to offset some grid demand, but not enough to counter overall growth
If you are interested in covering the forecast, please reach out to our media team.
For additional details, please visit the ISO Newswire: ISO-NE forecast shows steady increase in regional electricity use through 2035.
ISO New England Inc. One Sullivan Road | Holyoke, MA 01040-2841. Web
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Vermont Business Magazine