Net electricity generation jumped 4.5% in March as the West baked under record heat

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Net U.S. electricity generation increased 4.5% year over year in March as a large swath of the West — from Texas to California and up to Idaho — saw its warmest March on record dating back to 1895, the Energy Information Administration said Friday.

The region also received “much below average” rainfall heading into wildfire season. California experienced its hottest and driest March in 132 years.

Nationwide, retail sales increased by 2.3% while retail prices climbed 7.2% across all sectors to 14.2 cents/kWh in March compared with March 2025.

The commercial sector saw the largest jump in retail sales among the sectors named in the report, up 4.5% from last year, it said. The sector saw a year-over-year price increase of 5.8% to 13.9 cents/kWh.