Energy capacity factors in the U.S. 2023, by source

Nuclear power had the highest capacity factor among energy sources in the United States, at over 93 percent in 2023. Geothermal energy-generating facilities followed and had the largest capacity factor among renewable sources at 70 percent.  In contrast, natural gas and petroleum ranked the lowest.

Cost of nuclear power in the United States

Despite the large capacity factor, nuclear power plants had one of the highest levelized costs of electricity in the country. The operating expenses of nuclear utilities in the U.S. are nearly 50 percent lower than those of fossil fuel power plants, indicating higher capital expenditure for these facilities.

Capacity factor of renewable energy plants

Excluding geothermal energy, the capacity factor of renewable energy plants in the U.S. was 34 percent for hydropower and wind energy and 23 percent for solar photovoltaic and solar thermal. According to global market data, the capacity factor of offshore wind power worldwide was at 40 percent, while the one of utility-scale solar PV was at approximately 17 percent.