Otis Singleton
Ohio has a diverse energy mix, with natural gas, coal, nuclear power, and renewable sources all contributing to its electricity generation. In 2023, Ohio was the eighth-largest electricity producer in the US and had the fourth-largest electricity sales. Natural gas has been the largest source of electricity in Ohio, accounting for 59% of the energy mix in 2024, with coal and nuclear power making up 24% and 12% respectively. The state also has growing renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, hydroelectric power, and biomass, which aim to reduce Ohio's dependency on non-renewable energy sources.
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What You'll Learn
Natural gas
Ohio is one of the top 10 natural gas producers in the United States, accounting for about 5% of the country's natural gas production and reserves. The state's natural gas production has increased significantly in recent years, primarily due to production from shale formations in eastern Ohio, where horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing techniques are used to release natural gas trapped in low-permeability reservoirs. In 2019, gross withdrawals of natural gas in Ohio peaked at nearly 2.7 trillion cubic feet, with almost all of it coming from shale gas wells. While output has declined slightly in recent years, the state still produced about 2.3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in 2023, which is about 14 times more than in 2013.
Ohio's natural gas production has not only met the state's demand but also contributed to interstate trade. In 2023, most of the natural gas produced in Ohio was delivered to neighbouring states, including Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, and Louisiana. Ohio itself also receives additional natural gas supplies from other states, primarily Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and smaller amounts from Indiana and Kentucky.
The use of natural gas has had a significant impact on Ohio's economy and daily life. The industrial sector consumes about one-fourth of the state's natural gas, while the residential sector, where nearly three-quarters of households use natural gas for essential home heating, hot water, and cooking, accounts for almost one-fifth of the state's total natural gas consumption. The electric power sector has been the state's largest natural gas consumer since 2018, and the switch to natural gas has led to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.
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Coal
Ohio has more than 4% of the US's estimated recoverable coal reserves. Coal is shipped to the state from West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Kentucky, and smaller amounts from as far away as Colorado and Wyoming. In 2022, the electric power sector used 85% of the coal consumed in Ohio, with the rest going to coking plants for steelmaking and other industrial uses.
Ohio has several coal-fired power plants, and in 2022, five of the state's ten largest power plants by capacity were coal-fired. However, one of these plants was retired in 2023, contributing to the decline in coal's share of electricity generation.
The shift away from coal towards natural gas and renewable energy sources is part of Ohio's effort to reduce its dependency on coal and gas. While coal is still a significant source of electricity in the state, its role is decreasing, and other sources, such as natural gas, nuclear, and renewables, are becoming more prominent in Ohio's energy mix.
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Nuclear power
Davis–Besse Nuclear Power Station
The Davis–Besse Nuclear Power Station is an 894-megawatt nuclear power plant located northeast of Oak Harbor, Ohio. It has a single pressurised water reactor and is operated by Vistra Corp. Throughout its operation, Davis–Besse has been the site of several safety incidents, including two of the top five most dangerous nuclear incidents in the United States since 1979. In March 2002, maintenance workers discovered corrosion that had eaten a football-sized hole into the reactor vessel head, leading to a shutdown until March 2004. Another notable incident occurred in May 2015 when a steam leak in the turbine building led to an "Unusual Event" declaration and a temporary shutdown for repairs.
Perry Nuclear Generating Station
The Perry Nuclear Power Plant is located on a 1,100-acre site on Lake Erie, about 40 miles northeast of Cleveland in North Perry, Ohio. Owned and operated by Vistra Corporation, it features a General Electric BWR-6 boiling water reactor design with a Mark III containment system. With a core power level of 3,758 megawatts thermal, Perry is one of the largest BWRs in the United States. In July 2023, Energy Harbor applied for a license renewal, seeking an additional 20 years of operation for the plant.
Other Nuclear Power Plants in Ohio
In addition to Davis–Besse and Perry, there are other nuclear power plants in Ohio, such as the Beaver Valley nuclear plant, which is also owned and operated by Vistra Corp. These nuclear power facilities contribute to the state's electrical energy generation mix, providing a substantial portion of Ohio's electricity needs.
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Wind and solar
In 2023, renewable energy resources supplied 4% of Ohio's total in-state electricity generation. Wind power provided 53% of the state's renewable generation, with most of the state's wind farms located in northwestern Ohio, which has the greatest onshore wind potential. The state's largest wind farm, the 302-megawatt, 152-turbine Blue Creek Wind Farm, is located near the state's northwestern border. In August 2024, Ohio had an installed wind capacity of 3,775 MW, with 1,100 megawatts of installed wind-generating capacity.
Wind power uses turbines to capture the wind's energy and convert it into electricity. The spinning of the turbine blades turns a generator that produces electricity. Wind power provides electricity without burning fuel and thus does not pollute the air. According to the Department of Energy, wind power prevents 329 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, which is equal to the emissions of 71 million cars. However, critics of wind power argue that turbines are an eyesore, produce noise, and may disrupt wildlife.
Solar power is also gaining traction in Ohio, with companies like Ohio Power Solutions offering solar panel installation services. Solar power is a reliable and sustainable resource that can provide efficient power while reducing energy costs. It is one of the most promising power sources, with the potential to integrate clean energy into everyday life.
Ohio has set targets for renewable energy adoption with its alternative energy portfolio standard (AEPS) and energy efficiency portfolio standard (EEPS). The AEPS aims for 8.5% renewable-sourced power by 2026, including a solar carve-out of 0.5%. The EEPS mandates that utilities implement energy efficiency programs to achieve a 22% reduction in retail electricity sales by the end of 2027.
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$10.47
Hydroelectric power
In 2016, several non-powered dams along the Ohio River were converted to hydroelectric dams. The Ohio River accounts for much of the activity of installing electric generating units at non-powered dams (NPDs). About 74% of all the new and planned NPD capacity additions from 2006 to 2016 occurred along the Ohio River. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimated that, as of 2012, NPDs had the potential to add 3,000 MW of capacity in the Ohio River region alone.
In 2016, nearly 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity-generating capacity was expected to come online from NPDs. The National Hydropower Association estimates that only 3% of the nation's 80,000 dams currently generate electricity. The existing conventional hydroelectric generators in the United States provided 251 million megawatt-hours of electricity in 2015, or about 6% of the annual total net generation.
However, hydroelectric generation may not be eligible for compliance with state renewable portfolio standards or voluntary goals, and new hydroelectric generators may not be eligible for federal tax credits, unlike new wind and solar additions. About 1,000 MW of hydroelectric capacity has been decommissioned over the 2006–2015 period, mainly through the removal of existing dams.
The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) has outlined the impacts of hydropower facilities on a river and its resident aquatic life. Firstly, the turbines can cause mortality to fish that pass through the facility. Secondly, the diversion of river flow through a hydropower facility can prevent the rapid introduction of oxygen that would occur if the water passed over the dam. To mitigate this, ORSANCO has adopted a policy on hydropower development calling for each developer to conduct studies to determine the level of aeration provided by the dam before construction.
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Frequently asked questions
Natural gas, coal, and nuclear power are the main sources of electricity in Ohio. In 2024, the energy mix was 59.8% natural gas, 24% coal, and 12% nuclear power.
In 2023, renewable energy resources supplied 4% of Ohio's total in-state electricity generation. Wind power provided 53% of the state's renewable generation, with most wind farms located in the northwest of the state. The state also has five utility-scale hydroelectric power plants, with six more scheduled to come online by 2028. In 2023, hydropower supplied 9% of Ohio's total renewable generation.
In 2023, Ohio was the eighth-largest electricity producer in the nation and had the fourth-largest electricity sales.
