Electricity generation capacity in the U.S. 2000-2023

The electricity generation capacity in the United States reached 1.3 terawatts in 2023, 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.