Coal power capacity in the United States saw considerable growth during the late 1960s and the 1970s, with more than 85 gigawatts of net capacity additions recorded between 1967 and 1977. In contrast, the past decade saw existing coal capacity continuously decline, with retirements surpassing new installations. Meanwhile, the golden age of natural gas in the power sector dates to the 2000s. In that decade, the U.S. natural gas power capacity grew by 213 gigawatts, with a record 55.7 gigawatts in 2002 alone.
Net annual change in coal and natural gas electricity generation capacity in the United States from 1960 to 2021
(in megawatts)
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Headwaters Economics. (April 15, 2020). Net annual change in coal and natural gas electricity generation capacity in the United States from 1960 to 2021 (in megawatts) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 23, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1342030/us-coal-natural-gas-power-capacity-growth/
Headwaters Economics. "Net annual change in coal and natural gas electricity generation capacity in the United States from 1960 to 2021 (in megawatts)." Chart. April 15, 2020. Statista. Accessed November 23, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1342030/us-coal-natural-gas-power-capacity-growth/
Headwaters Economics. (2020). Net annual change in coal and natural gas electricity generation capacity in the United States from 1960 to 2021 (in megawatts). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 23, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1342030/us-coal-natural-gas-power-capacity-growth/
Headwaters Economics. "Net Annual Change in Coal and Natural Gas Electricity Generation Capacity in The United States from 1960 to 2021 (in Megawatts)." Statista, Statista Inc., 15 Apr 2020, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1342030/us-coal-natural-gas-power-capacity-growth/
Headwaters Economics, Net annual change in coal and natural gas electricity generation capacity in the United States from 1960 to 2021 (in megawatts) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1342030/us-coal-natural-gas-power-capacity-growth/ (last visited November 23, 2024)
Net annual change in coal and natural gas electricity generation capacity in the United States from 1960 to 2021 (in megawatts) [Graph], Headwaters Economics, April 15, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1342030/us-coal-natural-gas-power-capacity-growth/
