In the coming two years, wind and solar energy are poised to spearhead the growth in U.S. power generation, fueled by the installation of new renewable energy facilities, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Tuesday.
Projections from the EIA indicate a substantial surge in U.S. solar power generation, expecting a 75% increase to 286 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2025, up from 163 billion kWh in 2023. This growth is attributed to the addition of more generation capacity and favorable tax credit policies.
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The electric power sector is anticipated to boost solar capacity by nearly 38% this year. Concurrently, wind power generation is expected to experience moderate growth, reaching 476 billion kWh in 2025, reflecting an 11% increase. The EIA notes that wind capacity will remain relatively stable throughout the current year.
In contrast, coal power generation is anticipated to decline by 18%, decreasing to 548 billion kWh in 2025 from 665 billion kWh in 2023. Meanwhile, generation from natural gas, currently the largest source of U.S. electricity, is projected to remain relatively steady at 1.7 trillion kWh in both 2024 and 2025.
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The latest data indicates that in the previous year, the U.S. power sector produced approximately 4 trillion kWh of power, with renewable sources, including wind and solar, contributing to 22% of the total generation. This shift underscores the growing significance of renewables in the U.S. energy landscape, driven by both capacity expansion and supportive policy frameworks.
