US utility APS sees sales doubling by 2041 as data centre demand grows

· Energy · United States

Arizona Public Service expects peak demand to grow about 3.4% annually over the next 15 years and sales to roughly double by 2041, driven by industry and data centres, according to an integrated resource plan filed with regulators. The plan also calls for extending coal use to 2038. Separately, Caterpillar is expanding production of engines and turbines to meet data centre power demand and reported a third-quarter order backlog of $78 billion, almost double a year earlier. Together the two disclosures show how surging computing load is reshaping utility planning and equipment supply chains at the same time.

Why it matters：Data centres are now the main driver of US load growth, forcing utilities to extend fossil plants and pushing equipment makers to expand capacity.

Key points

  • APS forecasts about 3.4% annual peak demand growth over 15 years.
  • The plan would keep coal in use until 2038.
  • Caterpillar's order backlog reached $78B in Q3, nearly double year-on-year.

Sources (original reporting)

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