News Release

Natural gas power M&A premiums double as data center demand and capital costs transform U.S. energy market

Advanced financial modeling and portfolio optimization are redefining how investors value assets in the evolving U.S. power sector

byEnverus

CALGARY, Alberta (Oct. 21, 2025) Enverus Intelligence® Research (EIR), a subsidiary of Enverus, the leading energy SaaS and analytics provider leveraging generative AI, today announced the release of its latest market intelligence report, “The State of Power M&A – What Are the Markets Pricing In?” The new analysis explores the shifting dynamics of U.S. power sector mergers and acquisitions, revealing how accelerating data center growth, grid electrification, and rising capital costs and supply chain issues are driving premiums for operating natural gas power plants and transforming valuation methodologies in competitive markets such as the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection (PJM) and Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

“The surge in U.S. natural gas-fired power M&A valuations, which have doubled since 2024 and reached up to $1.93 million per megawatt for top PJM assets, demonstrates how data center-driven electricity demand and escalating capital costs are fundamentally reshaping how the market values operational power generation assets,” said Scott Wilmot, principal Analyst at EIR.

Key Takeaways:

  • U.S. natural gas power sector M&A valuations have doubled since 2024, with buyers paying record prices for high-efficiency generation assets in competitive wholesale electricity markets like PJM and ERCOT.
  • Data center expansion and grid electrification are driving sustained load growth for the first time in a decade, pushing forward wholesale power prices higher across major U.S. regions.
  • Rising capital costs for new natural gas power plants now average $2,200–$3,000 per kilowatt, fueling higher asset valuations and reshaping transaction strategies.
  • Portfolio optimization strategies are increasingly focused on assets with robust capacity payments and spark spreads, reflecting a shift in how investment value is created in the U.S. power sector.
A chart demonstrating how the "Rising Cost of New Builds Adds Fuel to the Fire"

EIR’s analysis pulls from a variety of products including Enverus FOUNDATIONS® – Power & Renewables and Enverus ET M&A Transactions.

You must be an Enverus Intelligence® subscriber to access this report.

About Enverus Intelligence® Research
Enverus Intelligence ® | Research, Inc. (EIR) is a subsidiary of Enverus that publishes energy-sector research focused on the oil, natural gas, power and renewable industries. EIR publishes reports including asset and company valuations, resource assessments, technical evaluations and macro-economic forecasts; and helps make intelligent connections for energy industry participants, service companies and capital providers worldwide. Enverus is the most trusted, energy-dedicated SaaS company, with a platform built to create value from generative AI, offering real-time access to analytics, insights and benchmark cost and revenue data sourced from our partnerships to 95% of U.S. energy producers, and more than 40,000 suppliers. Learn more at Enverus.com.

Picture of Enverus

Enverus

Energy’s most trusted SaaS platform — creating intelligent connections that uncover insights and opportunities to deliver extraordinary outcomes.

Related News

Winter Storm Fern pushes oil generation to 44% amid Northeast gas constraints
News Release
ByEnverus

: Winter Storm Fern pushed oil‑ and dual‑fuel generation to 44% across Northeast power markets as natural gas deliverability tightened, highlighting fuel security risks and winter grid reliability challenges, according to Enverus Intelligence® Research.

Enverus again named one of Alberta’s Top Employers for 2026
News Release
ByEnverus

Enverus is again named one of Alberta’s Top Employers for 2026, recognizing its expanding footprint and people‑first culture. Learn more about the award and why Enverus continues to stand out.

4Q25 U.S. Oil and Gas M&A Climbs to $23.5 Billion, 2025 Peaks at $65 Billion
News Release
ByEnverus

U.S. upstream M&A surged to $23.5B in 4Q25 and $65B for 2025 as private capital, ABS-backed buyers and international investors intensified competition; Enverus details shifting buyer dynamics, rising gas‑weighted activity and what to expect in 2026.

Enverus releases Top 50 Public E&P Operators of 2025
News Release
ByEnverus

Discover Enverus' Top 50 Public E&P Operators of 2025, featuring ExxonMobil, Expand Energy, and ConocoPhillips. Get insights into U.S. onshore production trends and Permian Basin dominance.

Venezuela’s return North America to absorb incremental heavy oil supply as Brent outlook remains unchanged
News Release
ByEnverus

Enverus Intelligence® Research projects Venezuela’s oil production to rise by 500,000 barrels per day, with minimal Brent price impact as North American markets absorb incremental supply. Discover key insights on global oil markets, U.S. Gulf Coast, and Canadian crude from...

Breaking news alert on the impact on oil prices due to Israel attacking Iran
Blog Topics News Release
ByEnverus

Gain forward‑looking insights from Enverus’ 2026 Global Energy Outlook, including forecasts for oil and gas prices, rising U.S. supply, evolving power‑grid demands and selective low‑carbon investment trends. This concise analysis highlights key market drivers shaping reliability, capital allocation and energy...

Enverus named Best Place to Work across key U.S. markets
News Release
ByEnverus

Enverus was recognized in Built In’s 2026 Best Places to Work Awards across major U.S. markets, highlighting its people first culture, AI driven innovation, and commitment to workplace excellence.

Mauritania and Senegal Opportunities and challenges in Africa’s forgotten hot spot
News Release
ByEnverus

Enverus Intelligence® Research explores the Mauritania–Senegal Basin’s untapped potential and investment challenges, highlighting opportunities for agile independents amid shifting market dynamics.

Libyin’ la vida loca New bid round and fiscal reforms attract global energy investors
News Release
ByEnverus

Explore how Libya’s 2025 bid round, improved fiscal terms, and vast resource potential are attracting global energy investors. Enverus Intelligence® Research analyzes the opportunities and risks in its latest energy market report.

Find Out How Enverus Can Help Your Business

Subscribe to the Energy Blog

A weekly update on the latest “no-fluff” insight and analysis of the energy industry.

Let’s get started!

We’ll follow up right away to show you a quick product tour.

Let’s get started!

We’ll follow up right away to show you a quick product tour.

Get Started

Sign up for our Blog

Ready to Get Started?

Ready to Subscribe?

Register Today

Sign Up

Power Your Insights

Connect with an Expert

Access Product Tour

Speak to an Expert