The electricity generation capacity in the United States reached 1.2 terawatts in 2022, a rise of 60 percent compared to the value recorded in 2000. Power capacity in the U.S. is forecast to continue growing in the next decades, doubling between 2022 and 2050.
Electricity sources in the U.S.
In 2023, fossil fuels were still the main source of electricity generation in the country. Natural gas surpassed coal as the single leading power source in 2016 and accounted for over 40 percent of the electricity produced in the U.S. in 2023. However, renewable electricity generation has been growing, primarily driven by wind energy and hydropower.
Capacity additions and retirements in the U.S.
As of 2024, solar and wind power accounted for about 70 percent of planned capacity additions in the North American country. By comparison, fossil fuels had the most planned capacity retirements in the U.S.. Natural gas was the only fossil fuel with planned capacity additions that year, amounting to 2.5 gigawatts.
Electricity generation capacity in the United States from 2000 to 2022
(in gigawatts)
Characteristic
Capacity in gigawatts
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Exclusive Premium Statistic
To access all Premium Statistics, you need a paid Statista Account
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
Ember. (February 27, 2024). Electricity generation capacity in the United States from 2000 to 2022 (in gigawatts) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved September 01, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/184246/us-electric-generating-capacity-from-2000/
Ember. "Electricity generation capacity in the United States from 2000 to 2022 (in gigawatts)." Chart. February 27, 2024. Statista. Accessed September 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/184246/us-electric-generating-capacity-from-2000/
Ember. (2024). Electricity generation capacity in the United States from 2000 to 2022 (in gigawatts). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: September 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/184246/us-electric-generating-capacity-from-2000/
Ember. "Electricity Generation Capacity in The United States from 2000 to 2022 (in Gigawatts)." Statista, Statista Inc., 27 Feb 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/184246/us-electric-generating-capacity-from-2000/
Ember, Electricity generation capacity in the United States from 2000 to 2022 (in gigawatts) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/184246/us-electric-generating-capacity-from-2000/ (last visited September 01, 2024)
Electricity generation capacity in the United States from 2000 to 2022 (in gigawatts) [Graph], Ember, February 27, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/184246/us-electric-generating-capacity-from-2000/