Renewable generation surpasses coal and nuclear as energy sources in the US power sector in 2022

The US power sector saw a historic achievement in 2022, as it was the first time that renewable energy sources surpassed coal and nuclear power in electricity generation, accounting for 21% of the country's total power. The key climate milestone was revealed in a report from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), which stated that natural gas remained the largest source of US electricity generation with a 39% share, while coal-fired generation decreased to 20%. The success of the renewable sector was propelled by growth in wind and solar capacity, with the US electric power sector producing 141 GW and 71 GW respectively.

Texas produced the highest amount of wind-generated electricity at 26% of the total US wind generation, and California was the leading state in utility-scale solar generation at 26%, followed by Texas and North Carolina. The US Energy Information Administration's March Short-Term Energy Outlook has forecasted an increase in the share of wind generation from 11% in 2022 to 12% this year, while the solar share is expected to climb from 4% last year to 5%. The coal share of generation is anticipated to decline from 20% to 17% in 2023.

While the achievement is undoubtedly significant, rooftop solar panels installed on homes, and commercial, or industrial generators are not included in the data, meaning that the figures do not represent the full extent of renewable energy use in the country. For now, the shift from non-renewable energy sources towards more sustainable and cleaner alternatives marks an essential step in the United States' push to reduce carbon footprints and aid climate change efforts.