Mid-Atlantic Area Council (MAAC)
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Projected Change in Electricity Generation from 1996 for Full Competition Cases |
| 1996-2005 | 1996-2015 |
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- Electricity sales are projected to grow between 1.2 and 1.7 percent per year from 1996 through 2015.
- Almost all the increased generation of electricity is projected to be produced by natural gas. In addition, gas-fired generation could be higher to provide replacement power for nuclear units retired early in the high fossil case. This significantly changes the share of generation by fuel type. In 1996, almost 90 percent of the region’s electricity was produced by coal-fired and nuclear power plants.
- Coal-fired generation remains at 1996 levels. There are more retirements of coal-fired plants than additions of new plants, but increases in capacity utilization offset the reduction in capacity.
- Nuclear generation increases through 2005 with improved capacity factors. By 2015, however, nuclear generation declines in the high fossil case, with five large nuclear units assumed to be retired early.
- In 2015, natural gas consumption is between 0.7 and 0.9 quadrillion Btu higher than 1996 levels. Coal consumption remains the same or increases by 0.1 quadrillion Btu.
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