Artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping the US energy consulting market, driven by a surge in power demand from rapidly expanding data centers. Leaders from top firms including Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey & Company, The Brattle Group, Baringa, Wood Mackenzie, EY, and PwC report a critical shift in industry priorities. The traditional model of steady, predictable energy growth has been replaced by the need to manage sharp demand spikes tied to the AI boom. This transformation has revitalized the energy and resources consulting sector. According to Source Global's State of US Consulting 2026 report, the sector grew by 9.4% in 2025, reaching $15.5 billion, and is projected to grow another 11% in 2026 to hit $17.3 billion. This makes it one of the fastest-growing areas within the consulting industry. Consultants emphasize a widening mismatch between the rapid pace of AI adoption and the slower timelines required to build necessary power infrastructure. A primary consequence of this tension is a short-term acceleration in natural gas investment as companies prioritize immediate power availability over long-term decarbonization goals. Sam Newell of The Brattle Group noted that demand for generation and transmission capacity has surged five-fold since 2024 compared to the previous two decades. Similarly, Jesse Noffsinger of McKinsey highlighted that while the US accounts for only 15% of global power demand today, it could capture 45% of global compute demand by 2030, a scale the power sector has never managed before. Despite the reliance on natural gas, firms are navigating a complex path toward a sustainable future. Vivian Lee of BCG pointed out that while renewables remain essential, current solutions are insufficient for the constant, large-scale power required by data centers. However, she noted that AI could eventually aid the transition by optimizing renewable generation and grid management. Tom Harper of Baringa described a paradox where AI drives energy investment but simultaneously slows the green transition due to the sheer volume of demand that must be decarbonized. Strategic focus has also expanded to include nuclear power and grid-enhancing technologies. Newell mentioned a nuclear master plan for New York, though significant capacity is not expected until around 2040. Meanwhile, Jason Liu, CEO of Wood Mackenzie, observed that energy has moved from a backwater industry to a central force in global economics. He emphasized that the phrase "knowledge equals power" has been inverted; now, the ability to generate electricity is a prerequisite for developing AI and national intelligence. This shift is broadening the client base beyond traditional utilities to include tech companies, retailers, and manufacturers. Steve Wanner of EY and Larry Abramson of PwC described the sector as an exciting place for career growth, driven by the convergence of large-load growth, energy security, and diversity. As firms race to provide reliability and affordability, consultants are tasked with translating macro trends into strategies that balance immediate AI demands with long-term energy stability.