Wind generation in the USA increased by 6% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), analysed by the Sun Day Campaign. Wind is forecast to account for 11.33% of total U.S. electricity generation in 2026, with output expected to increase by 6.25% compared with 2025 and by a further 5.48% in 2027.
The EIA expects new generating capacity to support continued growth in renewable electricity generation through 2027. This includes the 3.7 GW SunZia wind project, which is expected to contribute to generation growth during the second half of 2026 and in 2027.
Overall, U.S. electricity generation increased by 1.8% in the first half of 2026 compared with the first half of 2025, with rising demand from data centres contributing to the increase.
Solar is currently showing stronger growth than wind. Solar generation increased by 21% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. Utility-scale solar generation increased by 33.79% in 2025 and is forecast to rise by 20.48% in 2026 and a further 20.11% in 2027. Solar is forecast to account for 8.11% of U.S. electricity generation in 2026.
Hydropower generation increased by 9% in the first half of 2026, but the EIA expects output to decline by 3% in the second half of the year because of worsening drought conditions in the western USA. Hydropower is forecast to account for 5.86% of electricity generation in 2026.
Renewable sources, including wind, solar, hydropower, biomass and geothermal energy, provided 24.05% of U.S. electricity generation in 2025. This share is forecast to increase to 25.94% in 2026 and 27.34% in 2027.
Battery storage capacity is also forecast to increase from 43 GW in 2025 to 66 GW in 2026 and 91 GW in 2027. Pumped hydropower storage capacity is expected to remain broadly stable at 23 GW in 2026 and 24 GW in 2027.
Domestic biofuels production is forecast to increase from 1.382 million barrels per day in 2025 to 1.482 million barrels per day in 2026 and 1.566 million barrels per day in 2027.
