By Blake Jackson
Kentucky has long been a powerhouse in energy, with coal providing the backbone of the state’s affordable and dependable electricity supply. Even today, coal accounts for roughly 70 percent of Kentucky’s power generation, supporting economic activity and communities from Pikeville to Paducah. But as the national energy landscape changes more rapidly than it has in decades, Kentucky’s historic strengths are now just one part of a much larger picture.
Electricity demand - once stable for many years - is now rising quickly. Data centers alone used about 183 terawatt-hours of electricity nationwide in 2024, around 4 percent of total U.S. consumption. According to a Pew Research Center report, demand is expected to more than double by 2030. Such rapid growth presents both challenges and major opportunities for Kentucky.
The state has the expertise, workforce, and natural resources to attract significant new energy-related investment. But meeting future needs will require thoughtful preparation and coordination across the entire energy system. To support this work, the General Assembly established the Energy Planning and Inventory Commission (EPIC).
EPIC’s role is not to override utilities or state regulators. Instead, its mission is to assemble a complete, data-driven picture of Kentucky’s energy landscape. By doing so, the commission helps policymakers, industries, and communities make informed, long-term decisions.
The group includes representatives from utilities, cooperatives, energy producers, consumer interests, and state officials all working toward a unified approach to Kentucky’s future energy needs. Details about EPIC’s structure and members can be found at caer.uky.edu/epic.
Though EPIC receives technical support from the University of Kentucky’s Center for Applied Energy Research, it operates independently and transparently. Its work includes developing realistic demand projections and preparing multiple scenarios from rapid growth to slower-than-expected increases - ensuring the state avoids both underbuilding and overbuilding.
EPIC’s efforts complement existing utility planning and Public Service Commission oversight by taking a broader, statewide perspective. Through collaboration with energy providers, manufacturers, and local governments, the commission helps identify potential capacity constraints, anticipate impacts of plant retirements, and highlight infrastructure or policy gaps that could affect Kentucky’s long-term growth.
Photo Credit: pexels-felix-mittermeier
Categories: Kentucky, Energy