In the United States, electricity derived from coal has decreased over the past two decades, with the annual output declining by almost 65 percent between 2010 and 2024. In contrast, there has been a rise in natural gas and renewable sources within the energy mix. How is electricity generated in the U.S.? Most electricity in the U.S. is generated from steam turbines, which can be powered by fossil and nuclear fuels, biomass, geothermal, and solar thermal energy. Other systems such as gas turbines, hydro turbines, wind turbines, and solar photovoltaics are also major generation technologies. Electric utilities in the U.S. generated more than 2,241 terawatt hours in 2024, accounting for just over half of the power output in the country that year. Growing renewable capacity Renewable sources have become more prominent in the U.S. over the past years, particularly wind, hydro, and solar energy. The former has overtaken conventional hydropower, becoming the leading renewable energy source in the U.S. since 2019. Wind and solar power have also accounted for the largest share of electricity capacity additions in the country in recent years.

Throughout the past decade, the United States has been notably decreasing its use of coal, and increasing the use of natural gas and renewable energy sources for electricity generation. In 2024, natural gas was by far the largest source of electricity in the North American country, with a generation share of 43 percent. Renewable energy's share amounted to 24 percent that year.

The United States generated around 1,802 terawatt hours of electricity from natural gas in 2023, the highest production volume in the period of consideration, with figures having almost tripled since 2000. Natural gas has become the leading fuel for electricity generation in the U.S., having surpassed coal in 2015.

Annual data back to 2003 at the national level for electricity generation; capacity; consumption and cost of fossil fuels; sales, price and revenue; emissions; demand-side management; and operating revenues, expenses, and income. Based on Form EIA-860 and Form EIA-861 data.

Graph and download economic data for Industrial Production: Utilities: Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution (NAICS = 2211) (IPG2211S) from Jan 1972 to Jul 2025 about power transmission, distributive, electricity, IP, production, industry, indexes, and USA.

In 2024, the Southeastern Electric Reliability Council (SERC) accounted for approximately 29 percent of the United States' electricity generation capacity. The Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC), located in the country's western region, ranked second, responsible for 20.4 percent of the country's capacity.

United States US: Electricity Production From Coal Sources: % of Total data was reported at 34.233 % in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 39.651 % for 2014. United States US: Electricity Production From Coal Sources: % of Total data is updated yearly, averaging 51.846 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2015, with 56 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 57.679 % in 1988 and a record low of 34.233 % in 2015. United States US: Electricity Production From Coal Sources: % of Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.World Bank.WDI: Energy Production and Consumption. Sources of electricity refer to the inputs used to generate electricity. Coal refers to all coal and brown coal, both primary (including hard coal and lignite-brown coal) and derived fuels (including patent fuel, coke oven coke, gas coke, coke oven gas, and blast furnace gas). Peat is also included in this category.; ; IEA Statistics © OECD/IEA 2014 (http://www.iea.org/stats/index.asp), subject to https://www.iea.org/t&c/termsandconditions/; Weighted average; Electricity production shares may not sum to 100 percent because other sources of generated electricity (such as geothermal, solar, and wind) are not shown. Restricted use: Please contact the International Energy Agency for third-party use of these data.

description: The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) publishes a wide selection of data and statistics on energy power technologies from a variety of sources (e.g. EIA, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratory, EPRI and AWEA). In 2006, NREL published the 4th edition, presenting, among other things, electricity generation. The series of datasets included are: electricity net generation (1980 - 2030); generation and transmission/distribution losses (1980 - 2030); and electricity trade (e.g. gross domestic firm power trade, gross imports from Mexico and Canada).; abstract: The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) publishes a wide selection of data and statistics on energy power technologies from a variety of sources (e.g. EIA, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratory, EPRI and AWEA). In 2006, NREL published the 4th edition, presenting, among other things, electricity generation. The series of datasets included are: electricity net generation (1980 - 2030); generation and transmission/distribution losses (1980 - 2030); and electricity trade (e.g. gross domestic firm power trade, gross imports from Mexico and Canada).

Forecast: Electricity Generation in the US 2022 - 2026 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

United States US: Electricity Production From Oil Sources: % of Total data was reported at 0.904 % in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.923 % for 2014. United States US: Electricity Production From Oil Sources: % of Total data is updated yearly, averaging 4.834 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2015, with 56 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 17.167 % in 1977 and a record low of 0.774 % in 2012. United States US: Electricity Production From Oil Sources: % of Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.World Bank.WDI: Energy Production and Consumption. Sources of electricity refer to the inputs used to generate electricity. Oil refers to crude oil and petroleum products.; ; IEA Statistics © OECD/IEA 2014 (http://www.iea.org/stats/index.asp), subject to https://www.iea.org/t&c/termsandconditions/; Weighted average; Electricity production shares may not sum to 100 percent because other sources of generated electricity (such as geothermal, solar, and wind) are not shown. Restricted use: Please contact the International Energy Agency for third-party use of these data.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Electricity Generation market size will be USD 2154.2 million in 2024. It will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.80% from 2024 to 2031.

North America held the major market share for more than 40% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 861.68 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.0% from 2024 to 2031.
Europe accounted for a market share of over 30% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 646.26 million.
Asia Pacific held a market share of around 23% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 495.47 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8% from 2024 to 2031.
Latin America had a market share of more than 5% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 107.71 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2% from 2024 to 2031.
Middle East and Africa had a market share of around 2% of the global revenue and was estimated at a market size of USD 43.08 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5% from 2024 to 2031.
Thermal Generation is the market leader in the Electricity Generation industry

Market Dynamics of Electricity Generation Market

Key Drivers for Electricity Generation Market

Rising need for cooling boosts the electricity generation market: The increased demand for cooling is projected to drive the electricity generating market in the future years. Cooling is the process of lowering the temperature of an object or environment, which is usually accomplished by transporting heat away from the intended location, typically utilizing air or a cooling medium. Power generation can be utilized to cool by running air conditioning (AC) and fans to keep indoor temperatures comfortable. For instance, According to the International Energy Agency, an autonomous intergovernmental body located in France, in July 2023, more than 90% of households in the United States and Japan had an air conditioner. Cooling accounts for around 10% of global electricity use. In warmer countries, this might result in a more than 50% increase in power demand during the summer months. As a result, increased demand for cooling is likely to drive expansion in the power generating industry.

Increasing applications of electricity in the transportation industry: The growing use of energy in the transportation industry is predicted to increase demand for electricity, hence pushing the power generation market. The electrification of railways in underdeveloped and developing countries, the establishment of public transportation networks such as rapid metro transit systems, and the growing use of electric vehicles in developed countries will all create significant market opportunities for power generation companies. For instance, in order to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) predicts that 13,000 track kilometers - or roughly 450 km per year - of track in the UK will need to be electrified by 2050, with 179 km electrified between 2020 and 2021. According to the Edison Electric Institute (EEl), yearly electric car sales in the United States are estimated to exceed 1.2 million by 2025. Electric vehicles are projected to account for 9% of worldwide electricity demand by 2050.

Restraint Factor for the Electricity Generation Market

High initial capital investment for renewable projects: The high initial capital for renewable projects is indeed a limiting factor for the market growth of the electricity generation sector, as most such technologies, infrastructure, and installation depend on significant up-front funding. For instance, most renewable energy technologies are highly capital intensive-solar, and wind, in particular, scares investors away from taking action, especially if they are small or developing firms. There is thus an economic limitation that restricts competition and contributes toward slower development of cleaner energy solutions. Moreover, funding can be quite tricky and challenging-especially for a poor economic climate. The payback times attached to these investment options are long, leading to uncertainty and making stakeholders reluctant to commit. These financial constraints are, therefore, blighting the transition to renewable energy as well as, more broadly, the overall electricity generation market

Trends for the Ele...

Data on annual emissions of Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx). Data organized by type of electric power producer, by energy source, and by U.S. state. Annual time series extend back to 1990. Based on Form EIA-861 data. Electric Power Producer: Commercial Cogen, Commercial Non-Cogen, Electric Utility, Industrial Cogen, Industrial Non-Cogen, IPP NAICS-22 Cogen, IPP NAICS-22 Non-Cogen, and Total Electric Power Industry Energy Source: Coal, Geothermal, Natural Gas, Other, Other Biomass, Other Gases, Wood and Wood Derived Fuels, Petroleum, and All Energy Sources

The USA: Fossil fuels electricity generation, billion kilowatthours: The latest value from 2023 is 2509.19 billion kilowatthours, a decline from 2553.23 billion kilowatthours in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 92.45 billion kilowatthours, based on data from 189 countries. Historically, the average for the USA from 1980 to 2023 is 2416.52 billion kilowatthours. The minimum value, 1644.06 billion kilowatthours, was reached in 1982 while the maximum of 2992.24 billion kilowatthours was recorded in 2007.

US energy production measures total energy production by nuclear, coal, crude oil and natural gas plant liquids, renewables and dry natural gas. Total energy production includes direct-use energy, energy derived from refined products and electricity generated from nuclear, coal, renewables and gas power plants. Data is sourced from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) and is measured in quadrillions of British thermal units (BTUs).

Forecast: Total Support on Coal for Electricity Generation in the US 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Graph and download economic data for Sources of Revenue: All Other Operating Revenue for Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution, All Establishments, Employer Firms (REVOOREF2211ALLEST) from 2013 to 2022 about power transmission, distributive, operating, employer firms, accounting, revenue, establishments, electricity, services, and USA.

NOTE: This dataset is being deprecated. It will be removed by July 1, 2025. Consider using the dataset named Energy Generating Capacity if it suits your needs or downloading from the source at the Energy Information Administration's website. The energy source for utility-scale electricity generated in Maryland. Numbers are in megawatt-hours (MWh). Note that Maryland imports some electricity from out-of-state generators. Data comes from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

United States US: Electricity Production From Natural Gas Sources: % of Total data was reported at 31.942 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 26.888 % for 2014. United States US: Electricity Production From Natural Gas Sources: % of Total data is updated yearly, averaging 17.344 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2015, with 56 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 31.942 % in 2015 and a record low of 9.464 % in 1988. United States US: Electricity Production From Natural Gas Sources: % of Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.World Bank.WDI: Energy Production and Consumption. Sources of electricity refer to the inputs used to generate electricity. Gas refers to natural gas but excludes natural gas liquids.; ; IEA Statistics © OECD/IEA 2014 (http://www.iea.org/stats/index.asp), subject to https://www.iea.org/t&c/termsandconditions/; Weighted average; Electricity production shares may not sum to 100 percent because other sources of generated electricity (such as geothermal, solar, and wind) are not shown. Restricted use: Please contact the International Energy Agency for third-party use of these data.

Power Plants in the U.S.This feature layer, utilizing data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), depicts all operable electric generating plants by energy source in the U.S. This includes plants that are operating, on standby, or short- or long-term out of service. The data covers all plants with a combined nameplate capacity of 1 MW (Megawatt) or more.Per EIA, "The United States uses many different energy sources and technologies to generate electricity. The sources and technologies have changed over time, and some are used more than others. The three major categories of energy for electricity generation are fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), nuclear energy, and renewable energy sources. Most electricity is generated with steam turbines using fossil fuels, nuclear, biomass, geothermal, and solar thermal energy. Other major electricity generation technologies include gas turbines, hydro turbines, wind turbines, and solar photovoltaics."Madison Gas & Electric Company, Sycamore Power PlantData currency: This cached Esri service is checked monthly for updates from its federal source (Power Plants)Data modification: NoneFor more information, please visit:Electricity ExplainedEIA-860, Annual Electric Generator ReportEIA-860M, Monthly Update to the Annual Electric Generator ReportEIA-923, Power Plant Operations ReportSupport documentation: MetadataFor feedback: ArcGIScomNationalMaps@esri.comEnergy Information AdministrationPer EIA, "The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) collects, analyzes, and disseminates independent and impartial energy information to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding of energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment."

In 2050, electricity generation from wood and other biomass in the United States is projected to be around 10.8 billion kilowatt hours. This figure represents a decrease of about 15 percent compared to the power generation from this source in 2021.