The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) has just revealed renewable energy-related data that the SUN DAY Campaign has evaluated. It indicates that within the first two-thirds of this year, renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, biomass) accounted for about a quarter of the electricity generation in the United States, as per Electrek.
EIA’s “Electric Power Monthly” report
The latest Electric Power Monthly report shows that renewable energy sources have contributed 23.3% of all US electricity generation this year. It was up from 20.6% a year earlier.
Additionally, the electrical output of renewable energy sources climbed by 17.5% in the first eight months of 2022 compared to 2021.
Renewables’ share to US electrical output
Here is a brief breakdown of renewable energy sources’ contribution to US electrical output within the eight months:
- Wind energy: 10%, an increase of 22%
- Solar energy: 5%, an increase of 26.9%
- Hydropower: 6.7%, an increase of 10.5%
- Geothermal: a rise of 0.7%
- Wood and other biomass: a 2.1% decrease
Renewable energy easily outproduced coal and nuclear power during the first two-thirds of 2022 by 17.9% and 32.3%, respectively.
In retrospect, Renewable energy has surpassed coal and nuclear over the past half-decade. It has advanced from 4th to 2nd position, displacing coal and nuclear into the third and fourth spots, respectively.
Coal and Nuclear power’s contribution to US electrical output
In the US, coal accounted for 30.3% of electrical generation five years ago, while nuclear power accounted for 19.6%. Currently, their corresponding shares have fallen to 19.8% and 17.6%.
On the other hand, clean energy’s share has increased from 18.2% to 23.3%. However, natural gas has continued to take the lead among the energy sources used to create the US electrical mix (38.5%).
Ken Bossong, executive director of the SUN DAY Campaign, said, “These latest statistics suggest that renewables may well be on track to surpass EIA’s forecast for renewables to provide 22% of US electrical generation in 2022 and 24% in 2023.”
“Bolstered by the Inflation Reduction Act, renewables’ share could easily surpass 25% by the end of next year,” he added.
The renewable energy source (wind, sun, and water) is endless. It can meet our energy needs as our population expands. It also does not harm the environment. In fact, it is the cleanest alternative energy source on the market.
