Umair Gaines
New York City's electricity is generated by hundreds of power plants, most of which are privately owned. In 2023, the electrical energy generation mix was 47.7% natural gas, 22.1% nuclear, 21.9% hydroelectric, 3.9% wind, 2% solar, 1.3% biomass, 0.3% petroleum, and 0.8% other. In 2010, coal accounted for 10% of the state's electricity net generation, but the state's last coal-fired power plant closed in 2020. In this post-coal era, which company supplies most of New York City's electricity?
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What You'll Learn
New York's energy sources
New York has a diverse range of energy sources, and the state is pushing to increase its renewable energy sources. In 2023, the state ranked third among all states for generating the most electricity from renewables. Nuclear power accounted for almost 22% of New York's utility-scale net generation in 2023, down from 34% in 2019. In the same year, New York was the third-largest producer of hydropower in the nation, after Washington and California.
The state's energy mix in 2023 was 47.7% natural gas, 22.1% nuclear, 21.9% hydroelectric, 3.9% wind, 2% solar, 1.3% biomass, 0.3% petroleum, and 0.8% other. Small-scale solar, including customer-owned photovoltaic panels, delivered an additional net of 3,973 GWh to New York's electricity grid in 2023, 60% more than the amount generated by utility-scale photovoltaic plants. In 2022, wind power was surpassed by solar for the first time, with wind now the third-largest renewable electricity generation source. As of October 2024, New York had nearly 2,900 megawatts of wind capacity at 35 utility-scale wind farms.
New York has no coal mines or economically recoverable coal reserves, and the last coal-fired power plant closed in 2020. The state has set ambitious goals for renewable energy, with legislation requiring 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040. The state also ranks among those with the lowest per capita energy-related carbon dioxide emissions.
New York typically needs more power than it generates and receives additional electricity from neighbouring states and Canada via the regional grid. The commercial sector accounts for about half of the state's electricity consumption, and New York had the seventh-highest residential prices for electricity in the United States in October 2024.
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Coal-fired power plants
New York City's electricity is generated by hundreds of mostly privately-owned power plants. The state's energy profile is diverse, and coal no longer fuels any of New York's in-state net generation. The state's last coal-fired power plant closed in 2020.
A coal-fired power plant, also known as a coal power station, is a thermal power station that burns coal to generate electricity. They are the largest single contributor to climate change, releasing approximately 12 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, about one-fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions. China accounts for over half of global coal-fired electricity generation. There are about 2,500 coal-fired power stations worldwide, with a combined generation capacity of around 2,045 gigawatts. They produce about a third of the world's electricity.
Despite being a major source of electricity, coal-fired power plants have been criticised for causing many illnesses and early deaths, mainly due to air pollution. They also emit large amounts of carbon dioxide, contributing significantly to global warming and climate change. As a result, the UN Secretary General has called for OECD nations to phase out coal-fired generation by 2030 and for the rest of the world to follow by 2040.
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Electricity generation
New York City's electricity is generated by hundreds of mostly privately owned plants. In 2023, the state's electrical energy generation mix was 47.7% natural gas, 22.1% nuclear, 21.9% hydroelectric, 3.9% wind, 2% solar, 1.3% biomass, 0.3% petroleum, and 0.8% other.
New York's electricity generation has changed significantly since the late 19th century when, in 1882, coal was hauled by horse-drawn wagons to the Edison Electric Illuminating Company of New York's powerhouse. Here, "jumbo" steam-powered engines generated electricity for around a one-mile radius. A few years later, a hydroelectric station on the Niagara River, using Nikola Tesla's designs, supplied power to Buffalo.
In 2023, New York was one of nine states that did not have any utility-scale coal-fired electricity generation. The state's last coal-fired power plant closed in 2020. The state now ranks among those with the lowest per capita energy-related carbon dioxide emissions.
New York's two utility-scale wood- and wood waste-fueled facilities account for about one-sixth of the state's total biomass-generating capacity. The state also has five wood pellet plants with a combined manufacturing capacity of about 316,000 tons of pellets each year. Wood pellets are used for both heating and electricity generation.
New York has a diverse range of electricity generation options, including nuclear, natural gas, and renewable sources. The state is pushing for more large-scale wind farms, with about 30 planned upstate. The cost of building wind and solar plants has fallen, but these power sources are intermittent, and the state needs to invest in more storage solutions to rely solely on renewable energy sources.
New York law requires the state to generate 70% of its electricity from renewable resources by 2030. In 2023, New York ranked third among the states for generating electricity from renewables.
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Energy consumption
In 2023, New York's electrical energy generation mix included natural gas (47.7%), nuclear (22.1%), hydroelectric (21.9%), wind (3.9%), solar (2%), biomass (1.3%), petroleum (0.3%), and other sources (0.8%). Notably, coal, which once accounted for 10% of the state's electricity net generation in 2010, no longer contributes to New York's in-state net generation as the last coal-fired power plant closed in 2020. This shift away from coal aligns with the state's commitment to a clean energy agenda and addressing climate change.
The transportation sector accounts for one-third of New York State's energy consumption, with a heavy reliance on petroleum. New York is the nation's fifth-largest consumer of petroleum overall, but it has the second-lowest per capita transportation sector energy consumption due to its efficient mass transportation system. The residential sector consumes about one-tenth of the state's petroleum, with one in five households using heating oil. The commercial sector, including buildings, accounts for almost three-tenths of the state's energy consumption, with natural gas being the primary energy source.
New York City has set ambitious goals for transitioning to a clean energy system. The city aims to achieve a 100% clean, affordable, and resilient energy grid by 2040 to combat high energy costs and climate change. This includes a commitment to powering City government operations with 100% clean electricity by 2025. To meet these goals, New York is pursuing major green energy infrastructure projects, focusing on wind, solar, and hydropower sources. Additionally, the city has advocated for low-income utility customers, expanding access to discounted rates and assistance with unpaid bills.
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Energy companies
New York City's electricity is supplied by hundreds of mostly privately-owned power plants, which use a variety of energy sources. Coal-fired electricity generation in New York has been in decline since 2007, when it accounted for 15% of the state's electricity generation. In 2019, coal's share of the energy generation mix was expected to fall below 1%. In 2020, the last of New York's coal-fired power plants closed, meaning that coal no longer fuels any of the state's in-state net generation.
In 2023, New York's electrical energy generation mix was 47.7% natural gas, 22.1% nuclear, 21.9% hydroelectric, 3.9% wind, 2% solar, 1.3% biomass, 0.3% petroleum, and 0.8% other. The state's nuclear power generation comes from three plants, after the Indian Point nuclear power plant shut down in 2019. New York also has two utility-scale wood- and wood waste-fuelled facilities, which account for about one-sixth of the state's total biomass-generating capacity.
New York is pushing for more large-scale wind farms, with about 30 planned upstate, and the nation's largest offshore wind farm approved, which could power 50,000 homes on Long Island. The state ranks fifth in the country for the lowest per capita energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, and by 2030, New York law requires 70% of its electricity to be generated from renewable resources.
There are about 200 energy service companies (ESCOs) in New York, which buy electricity wholesale and deliver it through a local utility. However, the state attorney general's office has received complaints from customers who have been scammed by these companies, which offer discounted rates upfront before charging more than the customer would have paid through their utility company.
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Frequently asked questions
No coal company supplies New York City's electricity. The state's last coal-fired power plant closed in 2020.
In 2023, natural gas, nuclear, and hydroelectric power were the three largest sources of electricity in New York, making up 47.7%, 22.1%, and 21.9% of the state's electrical energy generation mix, respectively.
Wind, solar, biomass, and petroleum are also sources of electricity in New York, making up 3.9%, 2%, 1.3%, and 0.3% of the state's electrical energy generation mix in 2023, respectively.
The Public Service Commission, a board appointed by the governor, determines how much utilities can charge for supply and delivery. The board regulates utilities, taking into account the positions of consumer, environmental, and industry groups, government agencies, and the utilities themselves.
New York law requires the state to generate 70% of its electricity from renewable resources by 2030. In 2023, New York ranked third among all states for generating the most electricity from renewables.
