The GridWise Alliance (GridWise) today announced the release of its highly anticipated 2026 Grid Modernization Index (GMI), a comprehensive benchmark of all 50 states’ progress toward transforming the nation’s electric grid.

Developed in collaboration with Black & Veatch and Insight Engine, this year’s report is the seventh edition and highlights a surge in state-level investments, policy innovation and technology adoption that advances a more resilient, flexible and customer-centric energy future.

"The 2026 Grid Modernization Index shows that the velocity of change in our industry is unprecedented. Our new methodology provides deeper insights and a clearer roadmap for all states to accelerate their grid transformation," said Karen Wayland, chief executive officer, GridWise Alliance.

Key findings

The 2026 GMI builds on the GridWise GMI Readiness Framework, which evaluates the condition of each states’ electric infrastructure across four key pillars: state policy, customer adoption and options, grid optimization, and system design and coordination.

Our analysis reveals:

• One-third of states demonstrate strong alignment across all four pillars;

• Another third align with three pillars, while the remaining states show limited alignment or lack verifiable data;

• Grid optimization and system design lead the way, with 82% of states meeting criteria for those pillars; state policy follows at 66%, while customer adoption and options trails at 58%.

The report includes detailed state profiles using a standardized rubric for objective comparisons, replacing the forced rankings of previous GMI editions.

A new approach for a rapidly changing industry

The 2026 GMI employs a three-step methodology —GMI Readiness Framework, Data Collection with Validation and Research, and the GMI Readiness Report— combining AI-driven research tools and direct industry engagement to deliver deeper insights and actionable strategies.

"This year’s report highlights the critical role of collaboration and data-driven decision-making in building a resilient, flexible and customer-centric grid. The leaders are not just investing in technology, they’re investing in the future of energy for households and communities nationwide" said Charlie Sanchez, president of Infrastructure Advisory, Black & Veatch.

The full Grid Modernization Index 2026 is available for download at https://gridwise.org/. Reporters and industry professionals are encouraged to access and review the detailed state profiles, methodologies and key takeaways.

About GridWise Alliance

The GridWise Alliance leads a diverse membership of electricity industry stakeholders focused on accelerating innovation to maintain the reliable, resilient, affordable, and secure energy delivery that powers our economy and our daily lives. GridWise Alliance (GridWise) and our members believe that a modern grid is the critical infrastructure component of an advanced digital economy. Our goal is to champion the principal concepts, policies and investments needed to modernize the electricity grid and accelerate the prudent changes required to maintain the grid’s essential role in a robust economy. Our work ensures that emerging policy is aligned with industry best practices to facilitate effective and widespread change in support of a modernized grid. For more information, please visit www.gridwise.org.

Media Contact:

GridWise Alliance Makeba Scott

mscott@gridwise.org 202.580.6183