July 30 (Reuters) - Entergy ( ETR ) raised its profit

forecast for the latter half of the decade, as rising

electricity demand from AI-driven data centers and

electrification trends reshape the U.S. power landscape.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration,

power consumption in the country is expected to reach record

highs in 2025 and 2026, driven by rapid expansion of data

centers dedicated to artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency,

and as homes and businesses use more electricity for heat and

transportation.

The U.S. electric utility raised its adjusted profit

forecast for 2027 to a range of $4.70 to $5.00 per share from

$4.65 to $4.95 per share previously.

For 2028, it expects profit between $5.20 and $5.50 per

share from its prior forecast of $5.10 to $5.40 per share.

"We remain well positioned to capture significant

opportunity ahead and drive value for our stakeholders," CEO

Drew Marsh said.

Entergy ( ETR ) also increased its four-year capital expenditure

plan to $40 billion, from $37 billion previously, to cater to

anticipated demand from artificial intelligence data centers.

Utilities have been adding billions of dollars to their

capital expenditure budgets as they field massive requests for

new power capacity from Big Tech firms scouring the country for

viable locations for data centers, which could support complex

AI-related tasks.

The S&P index tracking utilities rose 3.5% in the

quarter ended June 30.

For the reported quarter, Entergy's ( ETR ) total retail sales rose

to 35,534 gigawatt hours (GWh), including nearly 12% industrial

growth, from 34,444 GWh a year ago.

It posted an adjusted profit of $1.05 per share for the

three months ended June 30, compared with analysts' average

estimate of 92 cents, according to data compiled by LSEG.

New-Orleans-based Entergy ( ETR ) provides electricity to nearly

3 million customers across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and

Texas.