Throughout the past decade, the United States has been notably decreasing its use of coal, and increasing the use of natural gas and renewable energy sources for electricity generation. In 2023, natural gas was by far the largest source of electricity in the North American country, with a generation share of 43 percent. Renewable energy's share amounted to 23 percent that year.
Distribution of electricity generation in the United States from 2007 to 2023, by fuel type
Characteristic
Coal
Nuclear
Natural gas
Renewables (including hydro)
Oil
2023
16%
18%
43%
23%
-
2022
19%
18%
40%
22%
-
2021
22%
19%
38%
21%
-
2020
19%
19%
40%
20%
-
2019*
23%
19%
38%
18%
-
2018
27%
19%
35%
17%
1%
2017
30%
20%
32%
18%
0%
2016
30%
20%
34%
15%
1%
2015
33%
19%
33%
14%
1%
2014
39%
19%
28%
13%
1%
2013
39%
19%
28%
13%
1%
2012
37%
19%
31%
12%
1%
2011
42%
19%
25%
13%
1%
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Share of generationCoalNuclearNatural gasRenewables (including hydro)Oil2007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019*2020202120222023
0%25%50%75%100%125%
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BCSE. (March 18, 2024). Distribution of electricity generation in the United States from 2007 to 2023, by fuel type [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 27, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/528603/distribution-electricity-net-generation-in-the-us-by-fuel-type/
BCSE. "Distribution of electricity generation in the United States from 2007 to 2023, by fuel type." Chart. March 18, 2024. Statista. Accessed April 27, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/528603/distribution-electricity-net-generation-in-the-us-by-fuel-type/
BCSE. (2024). Distribution of electricity generation in the United States from 2007 to 2023, by fuel type. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 27, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/528603/distribution-electricity-net-generation-in-the-us-by-fuel-type/
BCSE. "Distribution of Electricity Generation in The United States from 2007 to 2023, by Fuel Type." Statista, Statista Inc., 18 Mar 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/528603/distribution-electricity-net-generation-in-the-us-by-fuel-type/
BCSE, Distribution of electricity generation in the United States from 2007 to 2023, by fuel type Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/528603/distribution-electricity-net-generation-in-the-us-by-fuel-type/ (last visited April 27, 2025)
Distribution of electricity generation in the United States from 2007 to 2023, by fuel type [Graph], BCSE, March 18, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/528603/distribution-electricity-net-generation-in-the-us-by-fuel-type/
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