Energy & power systems guide
Electricity Load Forecasting
How planners and operators estimate future demand from minutes ahead to decades ahead.
Systems note: terminology, market structures, voltage classes and reliability rules vary by jurisdiction. Use current local standards and utility information for real projects.
Where this fits
How planners and operators estimate future demand from minutes ahead to decades ahead.
Core system ideas
Short-term forecasts support scheduling and real-time operations.
Long-term forecasts support generation, transmission and distribution investment.
Weather, economic activity, electrification, efficiency and large new loads can change demand patterns.
Interfaces and tradeoffs
Planning uses scenarios because demand, resource additions, retirements, weather, project timing and technology are uncertain. Models are decision aids rather than perfect predictions.
What organizations measure
Forecast error, peak demand, energy growth and scenario range.