Purpose of the State Utility Forecasting Group

The State Utility Forecasting Group (SUFG) was established in 1985 when the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) contracted with Purdue and Indiana Universities to develop and maintain a methodology for forecasting electricity demand in Indiana and the surrounding region (Indiana Code 8-1-8.5). Over the years, SUFG has provided analytical support to the IURC on a wide range of issues, including those outlined below.

Furthermore, following the passage of Senate Enrolled Act 29 in 2002, SUFG was tasked with conducting an annual study of renewable energy resources. The purpose of the annual study is to investigate and document the use, the availability and the economics of using clean energy technologies. The renewable technologies included in the study currently are wind, solar, biomass, and hydropower.

Initially, SUFG’s primary role was to help the IURC assess whether electric utilities’ requests to build new capacity were justified. Over time, its focus expanded to include forecasting the impact of proposed federal clean air legislation on electricity costs in Indiana and evaluating how utility-sponsored conservation programs—known as demand-side management—affect the need for new capacity.

From 2014 through 2025, SUFG partnered with the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) to create a MISO Independent Energy and Peak Demand Forecast annually as well as additional analyses.

Today, SUFG continues to forecast electricity demand, prices, and capacity needs for Indiana and has begun examining the effects of new large loads, including data centers, on the state.