U.S. Power Project Pipeline: Concentrated Solar and Wind Power in the Next Two Years, Surge in Future Plans for Natural Gas and Energy Storage

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Against the backdrop of AI-driven surges in electricity demand, the US energy structure is undergoing profound transformation. In the short term, there is a boom in renewable energy projects, while long-term planning for natural gas and storage shows astonishing growth. However, all this faces one major practical constraint: labor force.

According to Wind Trader Desk, the latest analysis report from Goldman Sachs based on US Energy Information Administration (EIA) data shows that by September 2025, the US will add about 32 gigawatts (GW) of new power generation capacity within the year, mainly contributed by 19 GW of solar power and 11 GW of battery storage, achieving 54% of Goldman Sachs’ annual forecast and matching historical seasonality.

Looking at future project reserves, the total planned solar project capacity has reached a record high of 122 GW, while planned capacity for natural gas and storage increased by 127% and 60% year-on-year, reaching 40 GW and 67 GW, respectively.

PV and storage lead current growth, but project delays are prominent

Data shows that the current expansion of US electricity is mainly driven by green energy. According to the Goldman Sachs report, of the additional 32 GW in capacity during the first nine months of this year, PV and battery storage together accounted for more than 90%.

This progress has already achieved 54% of Goldman Sachs’ full-year 2025 forecast. Considering that year-end is typically a peak period for installation, the prospect of hitting the annual goal is optimistic.

Despite strong momentum, challenges in project execution cannot be ignored. The report emphasizes that the delay rate for renewable energy projects “remains high and above historical averages.” As of September, about 36.5% of planned PV projects and 38.6% of planned wind power projects faced delays exceeding six months.

In contrast, the delay rate for natural gas projects was only 11.2%, indicating a relative advantage in project execution. Additionally, the pace of coal capacity retirements is slower than expected, with only about 2 GW retired this year—far less than Goldman Sachs’ prediction of 13 GW.

Shift in long-term planning: Surge in natural gas and storage projects

Looking ahead, the commissioning schedule for US power projects shows clear differentiation. Analysis shows that the vast majority of renewable energy projects under construction or awaiting approval are scheduled to be connected to the grid in 2026-2027. For example, planned PV projects for just these two years respectively account for 94% and 99% of Goldman Sachs’ forecast for new capacity additions.

However, after 2028, the reserve of renewable projects drops sharply, replaced by a concentration of new natural gas projects. Goldman Sachs speculates this may be related to the expiration of tax credits and other policies.

The report shows that about 65% of planned natural gas projects are expected to be commissioned between 2028 and 2030. Notably, the planned natural gas projects for 2028 alone already match 103% of Goldman Sachs’ forecast for new gas capacity that year, indicating that the market is laying out for longer-term stable power supply needs. Meanwhile, planned storage project capacity also reaches 67 GW, growing in tandem with natural gas.

Key bottleneck: Labor shortage may become the biggest constraint

The report soundly warns that labor shortages are the core constraint to achieving electricity growth targets.

Goldman Sachs estimates that to meet electricity demand by 2030, over 500,000 new jobs are needed in the US electric power and grid industries—around 300,000 in manufacturing, construction, and O&M, and another 207,000 in transmission and distribution.

Garrett Golding from the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank points out that 30% of American electricians are nearing retirement age, and it takes 3-5 years to train a skilled technician.

A survey by the Associated General Contractors of America also shows that worker shortages have become the second biggest cause of project delays, behind only government approval delays. This bottleneck could seriously affect project execution and drive up labor costs.

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