For the first time in U.S. history, renewable energy sources have generated more electricity than coal for seven consecutive months. According to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), wind and solar power produced more net electricity for the nation than coal from January through July 2024.
In addition to this development, the EIA also found that wind energy alone outpaced coal in both March and April of this year. Experts suggest this shift in energy production sources may not be a temporary one. ClimateWire predicted that wind and solar may continue to outperform coal throughout the entirety of 2024, a projection shared by the EIA.
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“The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects, for the first year on record, combined electricity generation from wind and solar to surpass generation from coal in 2024,” EIA Administrator Joseph DeCarolis said in a statement. “Renewables, particularly solar photovoltaics, are growing rapidly and making large contributions to electricity generation.”
In 2023, wind and solar overtook coal through the month of May, until the summer months brought increased power demand which caused coal to regain its lead. However, with more coal-fired power plants being retired and additional renewable energy infrastructure being developed, this year may see renewables maintain their lead even through the high-demand summer period.
[JACK AYLMER]
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, RENEWABLES HAVE OUT PERFORMED ONE OF THE FIRST RESOURCES USED BY MANKIND TO PRODUCE ELECTRICITY.
FROM JANUARY THROUGH JULY OF THIS YEAR, WIND AND SOLAR IN THE U.S. GENERATED MORE NET ELECTRICITY THAN COAL.
THAT’S ACCORDING TO RECENT DATA FROM THE ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION-
WHICH ALSO FOUND THAT WIND ENERGY ALONE OUTPACED POWER FROM COAL IN BOTH MARCH AND APRIL.
NEVER BEFORE HAVE THESE CLEAN ENERGY SOURCES PRODUCED MORE POWER THAN COAL IN THE U.S. FOR SEVEN CONSECUTIVE MONTHS.
BUT IT’S A TREND EXPERTS SAY WILL CONTINUE.
CLIMATEWIRE PREDICTS WIND AND SOLAR MAY HOLD ONTO THEIR LEAD THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRETY OF 20-24.
LAST YEAR, THIS PAIR OF RENEWABLES BEAT OUT COAL THROUGH MAY-
UNTIL HEAVIER POWER DEMAND FROM THE SUMMER MONTHS EVENTUALLY PUSHED COAL BACK ON TOP.
HOWEVER, AS MORE U.S. COAL POWER PROVIDERS CONTINUE TO BE RETIRED AND ADDITIONAL CLEAN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE COMES ONLINE-
THIS YEAR COULD BE A DIFFERENT STORY.
FOR MORE STORIES ABOUT HOW THE U.S. IS GENERATING ITS POWER, DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP AND SIGN UP FOR ALERTS FROM ME – JACK AYLMER – SO I CAN KEEP YOU PLUGGED IN.
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