Electricity in United States in 2023/2024

Over the past 12 months, from September 2023 to August 2024, electricity consumption in the United States has been predominantly fueled by fossil energy sources. More than half of all electricity generated, about 58%, comes from fossil sources including gas, which alone contributes nearly 42%, and coal at around 16%. Low-carbon or clean energy sources account for just over 41% of the total electricity, a sizable portion. Nuclear energy is a significant player here, providing about 18% of the electricity. Wind and solar, important for the U.S. clean energy transition, contribute 10% and nearly 6%, respectively. Hydropower adds almost 6%, while biofuels, although low-carbon, contribute close to none, at just over 1%.

Suggestions

To further increase low-carbon electricity generation, the United States could expand its nuclear and wind energy capacities, since these technologies are already generating substantial electricity. By investing more heavily in nuclear, the U.S. can emulate countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy provides 67% and 60% of electricity, respectively. For wind energy expansion, Denmark sets an excellent example, generating 61% of its electricity from wind. Similarly, Uruguay and Ireland have also tapped into the potential of wind, providing 36% and 34% of their electricity from this source. The United States can follow these models to steadily climb the ranks in clean energy production, thereby reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to global efforts against climate change.

History

Historically, the U.S. has seen significant fluctuations in its low-carbon electricity generation. In the late 1970s and 1980s, there were notable increases in nuclear energy, especially in 1975, 1977, and 1988, where the growth was around 63 TWh, 63 TWh, and 76 TWh, respectively. Hydroelectric power also saw substantial shifts, notably decreasing by about 64 TWh in 1977 but subsequently rising by 61 TWh in 1978. However, the late 1990s experienced a decrease in nuclear power, especially in 1997 when it declined by nearly 49 TWh, only to bounce back in 1998 and 1999 with increments of 48 TWh and 58 TWh. More recently, nuclear faced a downturn in 2020, with a reduction of 54 TWh, contrasting with the rise in wind energy, specifically in 2022, where wind contributed an additional 56 TWh to the grid. Such historical trends demonstrate the potential for substantial increases in low-carbon electricity generation with appropriate policy and investment.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources