North American VPP deployments have jumped 33% annually as utilities lean on distributed resources to meet soaring data center demand. (Utility Dive)
By the numbers: WoodMac counted 1,940 active VPP deployments in 2025, along with 433 monetized programs (+35% annually). Unique offtakers grew 38%, and the top 25 each procured at least 100 MW.
Yes, but: Total VPP capacity rose just 13.7% to 37.5 GW—broadening faster than it’s deepening. Enrollment caps, market rules that limit capacity credit, and small-customer barriers are holding back scale. Analysts expect bigger growth in the next 12–18 months as urgency mounts.