EIA Edges USA Demand Forecast Down for 2026, Up for 2027

The U.S. Energy Information Administration has revised its domestic energy consumption forecasts for the next two years. According to a report by Rigzone, the latest Short Term Energy Outlook slightly lowered the anticipated total energy usage for 2026 to 95.79 quadrillion British thermal units while increasing the 2027 projection to 97.17 quadrillion British thermal units. These adjustments follow previous estimates released in July that had predicted higher 2026 demand.

Specific fuel types saw divergent adjustments in the August update. The agency reduced its expectations for natural gas consumption for both years, now projecting 92.0 billion cubic feet per day in 2026 and 94.8 billion cubic feet per day in 2027. Conversely, forecasts for coal and renewable energy were raised for both periods, even as coal demand is expected to decline overall compared to 2025 levels.

Liquid fuels projections were also modified, with the agency cutting its 2026 forecast to 20.63 million barrels per day before raising the 2027 outlook to 20.80 million barrels per day. The organization noted that its renewable energy data includes some non-marketed components but noted it does not project end-use consumption for energy that is neither "bought nor sold" directly or indirectly.