U.S. Natural‑Gas Power Costs Reach 17‑Year High

Lazard’s latest levelized cost of energy report shows the cost of electricity from combined‑cycle natural‑gas plants in the United States rose to $90 per megawatt‑hour for 2026. That level is the highest recorded since 2009 and up from $78 a year earlier, driven by surging demand from new data‑center construction.

The report also notes that renewable‑energy costs are climbing: solar power costs increased to $69/MWh and onshore wind to $68/MWh, each more than 10% higher than a year ago, marking the highest levels since at least 2014.