Electricity in United States in 2023

As of 2023, electricity consumption in the United States is heavily reliant on fossil fuels and low-carbon sources. More than half of the electricity, around 59%, comes from fossil fuels, with gas being the dominant source at approximately 42% and coal contributing about 16%. On the brighter side, nearly 41% of the electricity is generated from low-carbon sources. Nuclear energy alone accounts for almost a fifth of the total electricity, making it a significant clean energy contributor. Wind and solar energy also play important roles, generating around 10% and 6% respectively. Hydropower contributes nearly 5.5%, while biofuels add a little over 1%.

Suggestions

To further increase low-carbon electricity generation in the United States, it is crucial to expand existing nuclear power due to its already substantial contribution to the grid. The U.S. can look to countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear power provides over 60% of the electricity, solidifying the efficacy of nuclear expansion. Enhancements in wind and solar energy, learning from Denmark's 53% wind energy success, could also help diversify sustainable energy sources. By drawing lessons from these countries, the U.S. can adopt best practices in policy, technology, and infrastructure to augment its low-carbon power supply.

History

Looking back at the history of low-carbon electricity in the United States, the 1970s and 1980s saw significant strides in nuclear energy, with notable increases in 1975 (62.3 TWh), 1977 (63.4 TWh), and 1988 (75.5 TWh). However, there were sporadic declines, like in 1997 (-48.8 TWh), but the trend showed resilience with positive growth in subsequent years. Hydropower experienced fluctuations too, with significant growth in years like 2002 (77 TWh), offset by declines such as in 2001 (-65.3 TWh). More recently, wind energy has shown promising growth, with a substantial increase in 2022 (56.1 TWh). By building on past gains and learning from occasional setbacks, the U.S. can continue to enhance its low-carbon electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources