Coal’s Share of Electricity Generation Continues to Decline

June 6th, 2012 by U.S. Energy Information Administration

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly.
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Amid historically low natural gas prices and the warmest March ever recorded in much of the United States, coal’s share of total net generation dropped to 34%—the lowest level since at least January 1973 (the earliest date for which EIA has monthly statistics). Despite seasonally low loads, natural gas-fired generation grew markedly and accounted for 30% of overall net generation by March 2012 (see chart above). Total electricity demand fell this winter as warmer weather reduced home heating requirements.

Coal generation decreased 29 billion kilowatthours from March 2011 to March 2012, while natural gas generation increased 27 billion kilowatthours during the same time period. In March 2012, coal’s share of total generation was 34% compared to natural gas at 30%.

Natural gas prices were near 10-year lows this winter, leading the generators in some states (such as Ohio and Pennsylvania) to increase their dispatch of natural gas-fired plants. Newer vintage natural gas-fired units operate at higher efficiency than older, fossil-fired units, which increases the competitiveness of natural gas relative to coal.

For a regional analysis of generation and consumption in March 2012 compared to March 2011, see the Electricity Monthly Update. For national and state-level statistics, see the Electric Power Monthly.

This article was originally published on the EIA website.

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Tags: Electricity generation, electricity generation split, electricity generation us

About the Author

U.S. Energy Information Administration -- the EIA collects, analyzes, and disseminates independent and impartial energy information to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding of energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Shecky-Vegas/1380703171 Shecky Vegas

There’s a very good article in Time this week about the decline of coal in the US, but the huge rise of it in China and India. Worth checking out.
- Bob_Wallace
  
  While the use of coal in China is increasing, the leaders of China have set a cap on total annual coal use which goes into effect in 2015 (IIRC).
  
  China has put economic growth ahead of environmental concerns for the most part, but they are not in denial about what they are doing. China is also pushing forward with lots of hydro, wind, and now solar. It seems like the felt the need to first create a vibrant economy and then start cleaning up their waste stream.
- http://cleantechnica.com/ Zachary Shahan
  
  I imagine it is. But I imagine I know the storyline before I even check it out.
  
  The thing is, as Bob points out, India and China are putting economic growth (i.e. getting their people out of extreme poverty) first. Hard to blame them for that. Meanwhile, they are still working hard to keep their carbon intensity ‘relatively’ low by focusing a ton on clean energy. Is it enough? Personally, I don’t think so, and I think they are actually shooting themselves in the foot right now — bullet is halfway there. That said, again, it’s hard to justify saying they are ‘wrong’ for doing the best they can at the moment to pull billions of people out of poverty. And, easy to see why they continuously try to demand that the Western world do more to lower its insanely high carbon intensity.
  
  It’s a complicated game, and I personally think everyone (well, most countries) are demanding too much of others before they clean up their act. reminds me of the “Prisoner’s dilemma”: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prisoner's_dilemma
  
  But it’s very hard to say what kind of responsibility those in China and India feel for bringing their people out of poverty as fast as possible.