Feb 5 (Reuters) - U.S. utility CMS Energy ( CMS/PB ) on

Thursday raised its current-year profit forecast on the back of

soaring power demand, led by growing residential, commercial and

data center growth.

CMS ‌Energy also increased its annual dividend by 11 cents

per share ​to $2.28 for 2026.

Power usage in the U.S. is ‍expected to hit a record high ⁠in

2026, the ⁠Energy Information Administration said in December,

driven by data centers demand ‌and a broader shift ​to electricity

for heating and transport purposes.

Electricity demand from U.S. data centers is projected ⁠to

nearly triple in the ‍next ​three years, according to a study by

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Their power consumption is expected to ‍be as much as 12% of

US total electricity consumption, the study added.

CMS Energy's ( CMS/PB ) revenue for the fourth quarter rose 12.3% to

$2.23 billion, from a year earlier, beating analysts' average

estimate ​of $1.88 ‍billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

The company's NorthStar Clean Energy segment reported

adjusted earnings ​of 18 cents, compared to 3 cents last year.

CMS Energy ( CMS/PB ) reported quarterly profit of 95 cents per share

on an adjusted basis for the quarter ended December 31, beating

estimates by a cent.

The Michigan-based company expects ​2026 profit to be in the

range of $3.83 to $3.90, compared with its previous forecast of

$3.80 to $3.87 per share.