The Net electricity generated by Thermal power plants in United States of America reached 2,417,541.12 GWh in 2020
The indicator recorded a historical decline (CAGR) of 1.58% between ...
GlobalData projects the indicator to decline at a CAGR of 1.31% between ...
Net electricity generated by thermal power plants in the US decreased in 2020
Thermal power generation held a mid-double-digit share in total generation in 2020. Although this share is expected to drop in 2030, thermal power will continue to dominate annual power generation in the US. The most remarkable feature of the US thermal power market is that of natural gas overtaking coal as the main source of electricity generation since April 2015. The share is likely to increase more as most thermal projects in the pipeline are to be run on natural gas. This significant transition is mainly due to increased shale gas production since 2008, due to improved drilling technology, resulting in reduced prices. Other advantages of gas-based power plants such as the ability to increase or decrease output at a short notice, lower capital costs, reduced emissions, and lower water requirement compared to coal-based power plants have actively contributed to this transition.
Supply Security
The US is actively involved in power exchanges with neighboring countries including Canada and Mexico. Power imports have increased steadily over recent years and in 2020, the country was a net importer. The US is the main source of power generation, and the majority is contributed by gas-fired power plants. The discovery of shale gas reserves led to a decline in natural gas prices, which resulted in a shift from coal to gas-based power generation. The country also possesses substantial coal reserves. However, the role of coal in power generation is declining in favor of clean technologies, such as wind, solar, hydropower and nuclear power.
Thermal power has the dominant share in the total generation mix of the country as of 2020. Gas and coal-based power generation is the backbone of thermal power generation in the country.
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