How much electricity is lost in electricity transmission and distribution in the United States?
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that annual electricity transmission and distribution (T&D) losses averaged about 5% of the electricity transmitted and distributed in the United States in 2018 through 2022.
EIA has estimates for total annual T&D losses in the State Electricity Profiles. Data for each state and for the entire United States are in Table 10: Supply and Disposition of Electricity of each profile. To find the table, scroll down a Profile page to find the link under Table 1 for Full data tables 1-17. Click on the link, and in the resulting screen, see the link for an xls file. In the file, see the worksheet 10: Source-Disposition, and in the worksheet, see the row for estimated losses in the table.
To calculate T&D losses as a percentage, divide estimated losses by the result of total disposition minus direct use. Direct use electricity is not put onto an electricity transmission and distribution grid, and it does not contribute to T&D losses.
Learn more:
U.S. electricity flow diagram
Last updated: November 7, 2023, with data available at the time of update.
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