Wiktor Wise
The US has been increasing its use of renewable energy sources, with wind, solar, and hydropower seeing the fastest growth. In 2022, renewable energy accounted for 21% of total utility-scale electricity generation in the US, with wind power being the largest producer, generating 434 terawatt-hours of electricity, or 10% of the nation's electricity. In 2020, renewables made up 19.8% of electricity generation, expected to rise to 35% by 2030. The US is the fourth-largest producer of hydropower, which is the second-largest producer of renewable electricity in the country, generating 6.2% of the nation's electricity in 2022.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of US electricity from renewable sources in 2022 | 21% |
| Percentage of US electricity from renewable sources in 2023 | 22.7% |
| Percentage of US energy from renewable sources | 8.8% |
| Percentage of US energy from fossil fuels | 82% |
| Percentage of US energy from nuclear | 8.7% |
| US wind power generation in 2022 | 434 terawatt-hours |
| US wind power generation in 2023 | 894 terawatt-hours |
| US wind power nameplate generating capacity in 2023 | 141.3 GW |
| US onshore wind resources potential capacity | 9,124 GW |
| US onshore wind resources installed capacity | 144 GW+ |
| US offshore wind resources potential capacity | 4,249 GW |
| US offshore wind resources installed capacity | 42 MW |
| US solar deployment in 2023 and 2024 | Record-breaking |
| US electric vehicle sales in 2023 and 2024 | Record-breaking |
| US clean energy jobs in 2023 | More than half of energy jobs added |
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What You'll Learn
Wind power generated 10% of US electricity in 2022
In 2022, wind power accounted for 10% of US electricity generation, making it the largest source of renewable energy in the country. This share is expected to continue growing, with wind power already generating nearly half of the total renewable energy in the US. Texas is the leading state in wind energy production, generating almost three times more than the next biggest wind energy-producing state. Iowa, Oklahoma, and Kansas are also top wind energy-producing states, with Iowa generating almost 60% of its electricity from wind power in 2023.
The US has seen significant growth in wind power over the past decade. In 2023, the country produced an estimated 425,235 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity from wind power, a slight drop of 2% from 2022 due to lower average wind speeds. Despite this, the US wind capacity has more than doubled over the last 10 years, with record-breaking wind turbine installations in 2020 and 2021, primarily in the Central and Midwest regions, increasing wind energy generation by 30%.
Offshore wind currently makes up a small portion of the national electricity mix, but it has the potential to grow substantially in the coming decades. In 2023, only two states, Rhode Island and Virginia, had operational offshore wind facilities, contributing 42 MW to the total national wind capacity of 148 GW. However, Vineyard Wind, a wind installation off the coast of Massachusetts, began operating in early 2024 with a capacity of 68 MW.
While wind power is a significant contributor to US electricity generation, other renewable sources, such as solar power, are also growing. In 2022, solar power overtook hydropower for the first time in terms of electricity generation. According to estimates, solar and wind energy will lead the growth in US power generation for the next few years.
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Hydroelectric power generated 6.2% in 2022
In 2022, hydropower generation in the United States accounted for 6.2% of total electricity generation and 28.7% of electricity from renewable sources. This represented a slight decrease from 2019, when hydropower generation made up 6.6% of total US electricity production and 38% of renewable electricity. The US conventional hydropower capacity has seen an overall increase of 2.1 gigawatts (GW) from 2010 to 2022, due to a combination of upgrades to existing plants, new projects, and retirements.
Hydropower generation provides flexibility and reliability services to the grid as the US generation mix evolves to incorporate more variable renewable resources like wind and solar power. Hydropower assets are often utilized equally or more intensely than natural gas plants in providing ancillary services. However, the hydropower industry faces challenges due to decreasing availability factors, increasing operations and maintenance costs, and the need to adapt to new methods of plant operation.
Hydropower is a significant source of renewable energy globally, with a worldwide generation of 4,289 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2022, accounting for 15% of total electricity production and half of renewable sources. China leads the world in hydropower capacity additions, contributing nearly three-quarters of the global increase in 2022. Europe also saw its largest capacity increase since 1990, adding 2 GW.
While hydropower has been a crucial source of renewable energy, it is not without its challenges and limitations. Climate change poses a significant threat to hydropower generation. Even modest temperature increases and reductions in precipitation can lead to substantial decreases in river runoff, impacting water availability for hydroelectric power production. Additionally, the reservoirs of power plants in lowland rainforest areas can produce methane due to the decay of flooded plant material in anaerobic environments.
Despite these challenges, hydropower remains an essential component of the renewable energy landscape, offering flexibility, reliability, and a reduced environmental footprint compared to non-renewable sources.
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Solar power is a fast-growing source
Solar power is the fastest-growing source of renewable energy in the US, with wind power in second place. In 2023, the US generated 238,121 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity from solar power, more than eight times the amount generated in 2014. The US also saw a 16% increase in solar power generation from 2022 to 2023.
Solar power's growth is due in part to rapidly declining costs and financial incentives such as those in the Inflation Reduction Act. The cost per kilowatt-hour of solar photovoltaic systems has been dropping, while electricity generated from fossil fuels has become more expensive. In 2018, tariffs were imposed on imported solar cells to protect American manufacturing and jobs in the solar power industry. While this restricted companies' abilities to recruit more workers, it also incentivized domestic manufacturing. Many solar power companies increased automation to become less dependent on imports, especially from China.
California and Texas led in solar generation in 2023, but many other states have seen major growth in solar power over the last decade. In 2023, small-scale solar capacity produced an estimated 73,619 GWh or about 31% of all solar generation. California generated the most electricity from small-scale operations (28,102 GWh) in 2023, accounting for around 41% of the state's total solar electricity generation. On the East Coast, New York generated the most electricity from small-scale solar in 2023 (3,973 GWh), making up nearly 62% of the state's solar electricity generation.
Net metering, offered in 34 states, DC, and three US territories, allows customers to sell excess electricity they generate back to the grid. Some states are changing rate structures to credit solar energy producers differently. Feed-in tariffs (FITs) set a minimum price per kWh that retail electricity providers must pay renewable electricity generators. As of 2024, California, Indiana, and New York have an FIT.
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Nuclear power is not renewable
In 2023, about 4.18 trillion kilowatthours (kWh) of electricity were generated at utility-scale electricity generation facilities in the United States. Fossil fuels—coal, natural gas, petroleum, and other gases—accounted for about 60% of this electricity generation, while nuclear energy contributed around 19% and renewable energy sources made up about 21%. Nuclear energy is considered a clean energy technology due to its minimal carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels. However, nuclear power is not classified as a renewable energy source.
Renewable energy refers to sources that are constantly replenished, such as sunlight for solar panels or water for hydroelectric dams. Nuclear power, on the other hand, relies on finite materials like uranium, which is mined from the ground and found only in specific locations. Uranium is abundant globally, but it is not inexhaustible and cannot be reconstituted in mines. Once the uranium stock is depleted, no additional energy can be derived from it. This fundamental difference distinguishes nuclear power from renewable energy sources, which are considered inexhaustible over time.
Nuclear energy is sometimes referred to as "clean energy" or "green electricity" due to its low-carbon emissions. It produces nearly zero carbon dioxide and avoids the air pollutants associated with burning fossil fuels. Additionally, nuclear power stations require minuscule amounts of fuel compared to coal or gas power stations, making nuclear fuel a reliable source of energy for decades. However, nuclear power does have its drawbacks, including the accidental release of radioactive steam, which has raised safety concerns.
While nuclear power is not renewable, it plays a crucial role in meeting energy demands and reducing carbon intensity during times when renewable energy sources may not be readily available. Nuclear power plants have longer certified lifespans than gas or coal-fired power stations, and their availability makes them valuable in the transition to net-zero targets. Combining nuclear power with renewable energy sources is a sensible approach to addressing future energy needs and combating climate change.
In summary, nuclear power is not considered renewable because it relies on finite resources and does not meet the definition of renewable energy, which entails constant replenishment. However, nuclear energy is a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels and can be an essential part of a diverse energy strategy, working alongside renewable sources to meet the world's growing energy demands.
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Fossil fuels generated 60% of US electricity in 2023
The US has been taking steps towards increasing its use of renewable energy sources. In 2022, wind power was the largest producer of renewable electricity in the country, generating 434 terawatt-hours of electricity, which accounted for 10% of the nation's electricity and nearly half of renewable generation. Hydroelectric power was the second-largest source, contributing 6.2% to the nation's electricity and 29% to renewable generation. Solar power, while still a small contributor, is also growing, with more than $49.5 million invested in the sector in 2022.
Despite the progress, the US still has a long way to go to meet its renewable energy goals. In his 2009 address to Congress, President Obama stated that renewable energy sources should supply 10% of the nation's electricity by 2012 and 25% by 2025. While the US has not yet reached these targets, the latest data from 2022 shows that renewable energy accounted for 21% of utility-scale electricity generation, with an additional 73.62 billion kWh generated by small-scale solar photovoltaic systems.
Looking forward, it is expected that wind and solar energy will continue to be the fastest-growing sources of renewable energy in the US, with onshore and offshore wind resources having a potential capacity of 9,124 GW and 4,249 GW respectively. However, factors such as higher costs and supply chain issues have impacted the growth of these sectors, with less wind and solar energy generating capacity added to the US grid in 2022 compared to 2021.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2022, renewable energy accounted for 21% of total utility-scale electricity generation in the US. However, if nuclear energy is included, almost 41% of the US's electricity came from zero-carbon sources in 2022.
Wind power is the largest producer of renewable electricity in the US, generating 434 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2022, which accounted for 10% of the nation's electricity and 48% of renewable generation. Hydroelectric power is the second-largest producer of renewable electricity in the country, generating around 6.2% of the nation's electricity in 2022 and 29% of renewable generation. Solar power is also a significant source of renewable energy in the US.
The US government has set targets for renewable energy to supply 10% of the nation's electricity by 2012 and 25% by 2025. It is expected that renewables will make up 35% of electricity generation in the US by 2030, with most of the increase coming from wind and solar power.
