Electricity

Glossary › FAQS ›

Analysis & Projections

Major Topics

Browse by Tag

Current Issues & Trends See more ›

The western U.S. sub-hourly wholesale electricity market is expanding

California consumption/demand production/supply wholesale prices

EIA adds small-scale solar photovoltaic forecasts to its monthly Short-Term Energy Outlook

STEO commercial forecasts/projections generation renewables residential solar

Monthly renewable electricity generation surpasses nuclear for the first time since 1984

capacity electric generation hydroelectric nuclear renewables solar wind

Construction costs for most power plant types have fallen in recent years

biomass costs generation hydroelectric liquid fuels natural gas oil/petroleum power plants solar wind

Even as renewables increase, fossil fuels continue to dominate U.S. energy mix

biomass coal consumption/demand hydroelectric liquid fuels natural gas nuclear oil/petroleum renewables

Competition between coal and natural gas affects power markets

capacity coal generation natural gas

Wind and solar in March accounted for 10% of U.S. electricity generation for first time

generation renewables solar states wind

Three Mile Island is the latest nuclear power plant to announce retirement plans

generation nuclear power plants retirements

Global access to electricity has increased over the past two decades

NERC’s Summer Reliability Assessment highlights seasonal electricity reliability issues

NERC generation

As coal shipments decline, rail remains dominant mode of coal transport to power sector

More than half of small-scale photovoltaic generation comes from residential rooftops

California commercial generation renewables residential solar

Landfill gas to electricity: A waste to energy success story

CO2 electric generation generation waste-to-energy

Energy storage and renewables beyond wind, hydro, solar make up 4% of U.S. power capacity

biomass generation geothermal hydroelectric renewables storage

Air conditioning and other appliances increase residential electricity use in the summer

RECS consumption/demand residential

Large commercial buildings are more likely to use lighting control strategies

CBECS commercial lighting

California electricity mix in 2017 has involved more renewables, less natural gas

California natural gas renewables states weather

Oil-fired power plants provide small amounts of U.S. electricity capacity and generation

capacity coal generation liquid fuels natural gas oil/petroleum prices

U.S. nuclear capacity and generation expected to decline as existing generators retire

AEO forecasts/projections generating capacity generation

Natural gas has displaced coal in the Northeast’s generation mix over the past 10 years

Northeast coal generation natural gas

Nuclear plants account for more than half of electricity generation in Illinois

Illinois nuclear states

Utility-scale solar has grown rapidly over the past five years

capacity generation solar

Power plants’ costs and value to the grid are not easily reflected using simple metrics

capacity forecasts/projections generation renewables

Wind turbines provide 8% of U.S. generating capacity, more than any other renewable source

capacity generation renewables states wind

Carbon intensity of energy use is lowest in U.S. industrial and electric power sectors

CO2 commercial generation industrial residential transportation

Most U.S. nuclear power plants were built between 1970 and 1990

capacity generation nuclear states

In 2016, natural gas exceeds coal for the first time in the U.S. electricity generation mix

coal electric generation electricity generating fuel mix generation natural gas

More than half of utility-scale solar photovoltaic systems track the sun through the day

electric generation generation solar

EIA expects natural gas to be largest source of U.S. electricity generation this summer

STEO electricity generating fuel mix forecasts/projections generation hydroelectric natural gas weather

Most coal plants in the United States were built before 1990

capacity coal generation states

U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions fell 1.7% in 2016

CO2 coal emissions generation natural gas

Rising solar generation in California coincides with negative wholesale electricity prices

California generation renewables solar states

U.S. households’ heating equipment choices are diverse and vary by climate region

RECS distillate fuel natural gas residential weather wood

U.S. energy consumption rose slightly in 2016 despite a significant decline in coal use

coal consumption/demand natural gas oil/petroleum renewables

Thirteen gigawatts of natural gas-fired power generating capacity to be added in 2017

capacity consumption/demand generating capacity natural gas

Coal production increases during second half of 2016, but still below 2015 levels

coal generation mining natural gas production/supply

EIA hourly electricity demand data shows impact of Hurricane Matthew

consumption/demand disruption outages weather

Brazil has the third-largest electricity sector in the Americas

Brazil distribution generation hydroelectric international nuclear renewables transmission

Record precipitation, snowpack in California expected to increase hydro generation in 2017

California generation hydroelectric states weather

Hydroelectric generators are among the United States’ oldest power plants

generating capacity generation hydroelectric

California imports about a quarter of its electricity on average

California generation states

Canada is the United States’ largest partner for energy trade

Canada crude oil liquid fuels natural gas oil/petroleum

U.S. electric generating capacity increase in 2016 was largest net change since 2011

capacity coal natural gas nuclear solar wind

Two-way use of electric smart meters continues to grow and is the preferred operating mode

Arizona California Florida Georgia Illinois Pennsylvania Texas net metering smart grid

Projected electricity generation mix is sensitive to policies, natural gas prices

AEO environment generation natural gas prices resources

U.S. coal production and coal-fired electricity generation expected to rise in near term

coal generation natural gas production/supply

The world’s largest nuclear plants differ by age, number of reactors, and utilization

generation international nuclear

Sulfur dioxide emissions from U.S. power plants have fallen faster than coal generation

SO2 coal emissions environment generation

Indian Point, closest nuclear plant to New York City, set to retire by 2021

New York generation nuclear retirements

Natural gas-fired generating capacity likely to increase over next two years

STEO coal electricity generating fuel mix generating capacity generation natural gas retirements

The output range of large electric coal-fired steam turbines varies widely

capacity generating capacity

Natural gas-fired power plants lead electric capacity additions in Mexico

Mexico capacity generation international natural gas

Wholesale power prices in 2016 fell, reflecting lower natural gas prices

coal electricity generating fuel mix generating capacity natural gas retirements wholesale prices

Renewable generation capacity expected to account for most 2016 capacity additions

capacity electric generation renewables solar wind

U.S. electric power industry is getting more beneficial use out of its combustion waste

coal electric generation petroleum coke waste-to-energy wood

Winter residential electricity consumption expected to increase from last winter

consumption/demand residential weather

EIA adds population density layers to U.S. Energy Mapping System

natural gas oil/petroleum

About 30% of distributed solar capacity is owned by third parties

generation solar states

Thanksgiving holiday causes unique electricity usage patterns across the country

California Florida Northwest Texas United States consumption/demand residential states weather wholesale power

Federal leasing for offshore wind grows as first U.S. offshore wind farm comes online

offshore renewables wind

Average electricity bills for residential customers rose in 2014, dipped slightly in 2015

prices residential revenue sales states

Three turbine manufacturers provide more than 75% of U.S. wind capacity

EIA creates winter version of its daily energy dashboard for Southern California

California electric generation generation inventories/stocks natural gas pipelines states storage

Coal may surpass natural gas as most common electricity generation fuel this winter

coal generation natural gas weather

U.S. energy production, consumption has changed significantly since 1908

coal crude oil exports/imports liquid fuels production/supply renewables

Fort Calhoun becomes fifth U.S. nuclear plant to retire in past five years

California Florida Vermont generation nuclear retirements states

Wind generation share exceeded 10% in 11 states in 2015

generation hydroelectric renewables solar states wind

Energy source mix varies among the three U.S. electricity grids

ISO capacity capacity factor coal hydroelectric inventories/stocks natural gas

Over past decade, Mountain region states have used less coal for electricity generation

capacity coal generation natural gas renewables solar states wind

The world's nine largest operating power plants are hydroelectric facilities

Brazil China generation hydroelectric international

Hurricane Matthew caused millions of customers to go without power

NRC generation nuclear outages states weather

Winter heating bills likely to increase, but still remain below recent winters

HGL STEO exports/imports forecasts/projections heating oil natural gas prices propane weather

Energy-related CO2 emissions for first six months of 2016 are lowest since 1991

CO2 coal emissions generation hydroelectric natural gas solar wind

Hurricane Matthew may cause problems for East Coast energy infrastructure

Florida distribution states weather

The United Kingdom's use of natural gas for power generation exceeds the three-year average in 2016, reversing previous decline

United Kingdom electric generation electricity generating fuel mix

U.S. residential electricity prices decline for the first time in many years

prices residential

Office buildings with data centers use significantly more electricity than other offices

buildings commercial efficiency

California program encourages adoption of zero-emissions vehicles

AEO AEO2016 California states transportation vehicles

China expected to account for more than half of world growth in nuclear power through 2040

China generation international nuclear

Wind generation share exceeds 10% in 11 states

Iowa Kansas New Mexico RPS South Dakota Texas generation states wind

Recent increases in global nuclear capacity led by Asia

China Europe India Russia generating capacity international nuclear

Weekly Energy Snapshots provides a weekly recap of EIA data visualizations

inventories/stocks prices spot prices storage weather

EIA provides daily summary of Southern California energy conditions

California consumption/demand inventories/stocks natural gas renewables states storage

Electricity customers’ service restored in Tallahassee after Hurricane Hermine

Florida Gulf of Mexico generation weather

Five and a half years after Fukushima, 3 of Japan’s 54 nuclear reactors are operating

Japan international nuclear

EIA data show average frequency and duration of electric power outages

outages utility

Japan’s electricity prices rising or stable despite recent fuel cost changes

Japan LNG coal generation natural gas nuclear prices

Natural gas generation and electricity imports used to follow load in California

California natural gas nuclear renewables solar wind

California is using more renewables and less natural gas in its summer electricity mix

California generation renewables

U.S. nuclear outages this summer were higher than in summer 2015

generation maintenance nuclear outages

District of Columbia raises renewable portfolio standard target to 50% by 2032

RPS electricity generating fuel mix renewables

Monthly U.S. renewable electricity generation in 2016 surpasses previous years

capacity generation hydroelectric renewables solar wind

Rural electric customers are the most vulnerable to power outages

disruption outages

North Carolina has more PURPA-qualifying solar facilities than any other state

California Texas capacity generating capacity generation renewables solar states

Hydroelectric plants account for more than 70% of Brazil's electric generation

Brazil generation hydroelectric renewables

High natural gas-fired generation leads to rare summer net national weekly storage draw

generation inventories/stocks natural gas storage

Use of natural gas for power generation hits record highs

electric generation inventories/stocks natural gas prices storage

Renewables share of North America electricity mix expected to rise

AEO AEO2016 Canada IEO Mexico United States generation international nuclear renewables standards

Many industries use combined heat and power to improve energy efficiency

efficiency industrial

Operating coal-fired generating capacity has declined 15% since 2011 in response to low natural gas prices and environmental regulatory compliance

EPA capacity coal emissions environment generating capacity natural gas standards

Electric grid operators forecast load shapes to plan electricity supply

consumption/demand demand response generation power plants transmission

Electric grid operators forecast load shapes to plan electricity supply

consumption/demand demand response generation power plants transmission

U.S. electric system is made up of interconnections and balancing authorities

Canada ISO NERC RTO United States generation transmission wholesale power

Several nonpowered dams along the Ohio River to be converted to hydroelectric dams in 2016

generating capacity hydroelectric renewables

Natural gas-fired electricity generation expected to reach record level in 2016

electric generation exports/imports generation natural gas weather

EIA electricity generator data show power industry response to EPA mercury limits

capacity coal emissions generation standards

Clean Power Plan implementation choices by states could affect electricity generation mix

AEO AEO2016 CO2 coal electricity generating fuel mix energy efficiency forecasts/projections natural gas renewables solar wind

Mexico electricity market reforms attempt to reduce costs and develop new capacity

Mexico generation international policy prices renewables wholesale prices

Fossil fuels still dominate U.S. energy consumption despite recent market share decline

biomass coal exports/imports hydroelectric liquid fuels natural gas nuclear oil/petroleum renewables

Extended policies case shows reduced energy use, emissions, more renewables, efficiency

AEO AEO2016 efficiency emissions forecasts/projections solar standards wind

The total output over a 12-month period of U.S. electric generators fueled by natural gas surpassed those fueled by coal for first time in January 2016

coal electric generation generation natural gas

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative auction prices decline

CO2 emissions generation

Clean Power Plan implementation decisions affect CO2 emissions and electricity prices

AEO AEO2016 CO2 generation

Clean Power Plan accelerates the growth of renewable generation throughout United States

AEO AEO2016 coal natural gas nuclear renewables solar wind

Total U.S. electricity sales projected to grow slowly as electricity intensity declines

commercial industrial residential transportation

First new U.S. nuclear reactor in almost two decades set to begin operating

generation nuclear

EIA publishes construction cost information for electric power generators

biomass capacity electricity generating fuel mix generating capacity hydroelectric natural gas power plants prices renewables solar wholesale power wind

Higher renewable capacity additions in AEO2016 reflect policy changes and cost reductions

capacity forecasts/projections generation renewables

Industrial and electric power sectors drive projected growth in U.S. natural gas use

commercial exports/imports forecasts/projections industrial natural gas residential

Growth in electric residential customers' use of competitive suppliers levels off in 2014

Illinois Ohio Pennsylvania prices revenue sales

Southern states lead growth in biomass electricity generation

biomass generation renewables

Germany’s renewables electricity generation grows in 2015, but coal still dominant

generation international renewables

Hydropower conditions improve as West Coast drought eases

California Oregon Washington hydroelectric natural gas states

Many natural gas-fired power plants under construction are near major shale plays

Texas generating capacity natural gas production/supply states

Future power sector carbon dioxide emissions depend on status of Clean Power Plan

CO2 coal emissions

Carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation in 2015 were lowest since 1993

CO2 coal emissions generation natural gas renewables

Power sector coal demand has fallen in nearly every state since 2007

coal consumption/demand generation states

Strong El Niño helps reduce U.S. winter heating demand and fuel prices

HGL heating oil prices propane

Higher Oregon renewable portfolio standard targets likely to boost wind power

Oregon RPS generating capacity renewables states wind

Waste-to-energy electricity generation concentrated in Florida and Northeast

Florida capacity generating capacity generation states waste-to-energy

Mild weather, ample natural gas supply curb Northeast winter power and natural gas prices

ISO LNG Massachusetts New England New York consumption/demand natural gas pipelines prices spot prices weather wholesale power wholesale prices

Average utilization for natural gas combined cycle plants exceeded coal plants in 2015

capacity factor coal generating capacity generation natural gas

Nonhydro renewable power generation widened gap over conventional hydroelectricity in 2015

biomass electric generation generation geothermal renewables solar wind

EIA reviews and enhances data and projections for wind and solar electricity

forecasts/projections generating capacity generation renewables solar wind

As coal stockpiles at power plants rise, shippers are reducing coal railcar loadings

coal generation inventories/stocks rail

Demand trends, prices, and policies drive recent electric generation capacity additions

capacity generation

Natural gas expected to surpass coal in mix of fuel used for U.S. power generation in 2016

coal generation natural gas

Total electricity sales fell in 2015 for 5th time in past 8 years

commercial industrial prices residential revenue sales

Coal made up more than 80% of retired electricity generating capacity in 2015

capacity coal generation retirements states

Crescent Dunes concentrating solar plant begins producing electricity

California renewables solar states

Solar, natural gas, wind make up most 2016 generation additions

capacity generating capacity generation hydroelectric natural gas nuclear renewables solar wind

U.S. solar PV net metering capacity continued strong growth in 2015

capacity net metering solar

Rail continues to dominate coal shipments to the power sector

coal generation rail transportation

Demand response saves electricity during times of high demand

consumption/demand demand response efficiency regulation

California has nearly half of the nation's solar electricity generating capacity

California capacity generating capacity generation renewables solar states

Computer and technology use in education buildings continues to increase

buildings commercial exports/imports

Electricity generation from renewable sources expected to grow 9% this year

STEO biomass geothermal hydroelectric renewables solar wind

Winter storm knocks out power for more than a million customers

outages weather

Installed wind generator tower heights and output are growing

capacity capacity factor generating capacity power plants wind

Upcoming winter storm may cause problems for East Coast energy infrastructure

disruption weather

Warmer weather, lower energy prices are reducing home heating expenditures

HGL STEO heating oil natural gas prices propane weather

Wholesale power prices decrease across the country in 2015

efficiency generation natural gas prices wholesale power wholesale prices

Coal production and prices decline in 2015

coal generation prices production/supply

EIA electricity data now include estimated small-scale solar PV capacity and generation

California Hawaii Massachusetts New Jersey New York capacity commercial distribution generating capacity generation industrial net metering renewables residential solar states utility

Efficiency moderates effects of higher electricity prices under proposed Clean Power Plan

Under the proposed Clean Power Plan, natural gas, then renewables, gain generation share

CO2 EPA emissions forecasts/projections generation

Power generation from coal and natural gas expected to temporarily converge this spring

STEO coal hydroelectric natural gas nuclear renewables

Natural gas, renewables projected to provide larger shares of electricity generation

coal exports/imports liquid fuels natural gas nuclear oil/petroleum renewables

Total energy subsidies decline since 2010, with changes in support across fuel types

biofuels coal liquid fuels natural gas nuclear oil/petroleum solar wind

Recent Data

Key Indicators
Source: Electricity Monthly Update.

See more data ›

Updated Data Series

Survey Forms, Changes & Announcements

Recent Analysis & Projections

Electric Power Monthly
Released June 23, 2017 capacity capacity factor coal commercial disruption environment exports/imports generating capacity generation geothermal hydroelectric industrial inventories/stocks monthly most popular natural gas nuclear oil/petroleum outages power plants prices production/supply renewables residential revenue sales solar states transportation wind wood
Electricity Monthly Update
Released June 23, 2017 coal commercial costs electric generation exports/imports generating capacity generation hydroelectric industrial inventories/stocks monthly most popular natural gas nuclear prices renewables residential revenue sales wholesale power
Southern California Daily Energy Report
Released November 21, 2016 California consumption/demand exports/imports inventories/stocks natural gas prices renewables states storage wholesale power wholesale prices

See more analysis & projections ›

Beta: Hourly Information

Electric System Operating Data: Updated every 15 minutes
Includes actual and forecast demand, net generation, and the power flowing between electric systems

Upcoming Releases

Wholesale Electricity and Natural Gas Market Data: Biweekly on Thursday
Electric Power Monthly: between the 20th and the 25th of the month
Electricity Monthly Update: between the 20th and the 25th of the month

See all upcoming ›

Interactive Visualizations, Data, & Multimedia

Energy Education

Electricity Explained

Electricity in the United States

See more electricity topics ›

FAQs

How much electricity does an American home use?

See all electricty FAQs ›

Energy Kids

Science of Electricity Basics

See electricity on Energy Kids ›