Pennsylvania's Electricity Sources: Powering The Keystone State

Pennsylvania's electricity generation mix in 2023 was 59% natural gas, 31.9% nuclear, 5.4% coal, 1.4% wind, 0.8% hydroelectric, 0.7% biomass, 0.2% other gases, 0.2% solar, and 0.4% other. The state also has access to renewable energy sources such as solar, geothermal, wind, hydropower, and biomass. The use of renewable energy sources is becoming more popular, with about 23% of all electricity consumed in the U.S. being generated from these sources in 2023.

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Fossil fuels

Pennsylvania is the third-largest coal-producing state in the nation, after Wyoming and West Virginia, and coal has been mined in the state since the late 1700s. The state has substantial reserves of bituminous coal, which is used to generate electricity and produce coke for steelmaking. In 2022, coal contributed 5.4% of Pennsylvania's electrical energy generation.

The state is also vulnerable to heating oil shortages and price spikes, with about one in five households relying on petroleum products for home heating.

Pennsylvania is the third-largest producer of electricity in the nation and sends the most electricity to other states. Electricity generation regularly exceeds in-state power consumption.

Renewable energy sources

Pennsylvania has a variety of renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal energy. In 2023, renewable energy sources generated nearly 4% of Pennsylvania's in-state electricity. The state has been actively promoting clean energy and has set targets for renewable energy development.

Wind energy is Pennsylvania's largest renewable source for electricity generation, providing 36% of the state's renewable electricity in 2023. The greatest wind resources for commercial power generation are found on the Appalachian Mountain crests, mainly in the southwest and northeast, and along the Lake Erie shoreline. Somerset County leads in installed wind capacity, followed by Cambria, Wyoming, Schuylkill, and Bradford counties.

Solar energy has also become more accessible and cost-effective in Pennsylvania. The cost of building new solar energy plants has dropped significantly, and Governor Josh Shapiro has pledged to generate 30% of the state's energy from renewables by 2030. Small-scale solar, including customer-owned photovoltaic panels, delivered an additional net of 1,070 GWh of energy to the state's electrical grid in 2023.

Hydropower is another renewable source recognized by the state. Low-impact hydropower is among the alternative energy sources that contribute to Pennsylvania's AEPS (Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards) requirements.

Biomass and geothermal energy are also part of Pennsylvania's renewable energy mix. Biomass accounted for 0.7% of the state's electrical energy generation in 2023, while geothermal or ground-source heat pumps are used for heating and cooling homes efficiently.

Solar power

While solar power currently provides less than 1% of the state's electricity, there are policies in place to regulate and incentivize its use. Pennsylvania has a renewable portfolio standard, which requires a certain percentage of electricity from each provider to come from solar sources. By 2021, the state aimed to source 0.5% of its electricity from solar power, with a goal of 10% by 2030.

The state recognizes the potential for expansion in solar power, which could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve public health. If all usable rooftop space in Pennsylvania was fitted with photovoltaic panels, they could provide 34.5% of the state's electricity. However, growth in solar generation has been slowed by a reduction in solar grants and the low price of solar energy credits. Additionally, Pennsylvania's sun exposure is lower than in other parts of the country, impacting the capacity factors of solar plants.

To encourage the adoption of solar power, Pennsylvania participates in net metering, allowing homeowners to sell their excess solar power to utility companies at the same prices they would buy it. This program also helps reduce the overall costs of switching to and generating solar energy. The Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) program in Pennsylvania also allows residents to receive compensation for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) their solar systems generate.

The University of Pennsylvania has embraced solar power, with the Great Cove I and II solar facilities in central Pennsylvania powering 70% of the electricity demand from its academic campus and health system in the Philadelphia area. This project is a significant step toward the university's goal of achieving 100% carbon neutrality by 2042.

Hydropower

Pennsylvania's hydropower capacity is expected to expand further, with approximately 84 megawatts of new hydropower generation anticipated to come online by the end of 2028. This development aligns with the state's alternative energy portfolio standard (AEPS), established in 2004, which mandates that alternative energy sources generate at least 18% of the state's electricity retail sales annually, with a minimum of 0.5% contributed by solar power.

The state's focus on hydropower aligns with a broader shift towards renewable and alternative energy sources. In 2023, Pennsylvania's electrical energy generation mix included natural gas (59%), nuclear power (31.9%), coal (5.4%), wind (1.4%), hydropower (0.8%), biomass (0.7%), and solar energy (0.2%). The state is actively transitioning from coal to gas, with natural gas increasing to 59% in 2023 from 22% in 2013.

Nuclear power

Nuclear energy is the most efficient, zero-carbon generation source in Pennsylvania, and it plays a crucial role in keeping electricity prices low and preventing the release of harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. Studies indicate that nuclear power is significantly safer and less detrimental to human health than coal, oil, or natural gas, with very few accidents, illnesses, or deaths attributed to the industry.

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