AI-driven demand reshapes power planning: The US EIA says electricity use will hit new records in 2026-27 as AI data centers and electrification push demand higher, with renewables rising and coal’s share slipping. Grid reliability under pressure: A report warns PJM could fall short of emergency peak power by June 2027 as spare capacity shrinks, with data-center growth cited as structural strain. Data centers meet storage and new tech: GM is developing sodium-ion batteries for large-scale energy storage aimed at data centers, while GM and others keep betting on batteries to manage peak loads. Utility incentives and affordability: A Michigan case highlights how cost-of-service regulation can drive rate hikes even when customers feel squeezed. South Africa’s renewables push: Eskom launched “Eskom Green” to accelerate utility-scale renewables for large power users, targeting gaps between awarded projects and what gets built. Renewables expansion abroad: Morocco plans ~$16B over five years to add 16 GW of solar and wind, aiming to push renewables above 45% of its mix. Local impacts and policy: New York’s POWER rebate checks face scrutiny as utility rates keep rising, and India’s Uttar Pradesh regulator approved 110 MW of feeder-level solarization PPAs. Energy security in shocks: After a 7.8 quake in southern Mindanao, the Philippines’ NEA reactivated restoration teams for hundreds of thousands of connections. Household cost reality: New Zealand coverage breaks down winter electricity costs, from hot-water heating schedules to heat-pump usage.