EIA: U.S. Renewable Generation Continues to Show Healthy Growth
May 31, 2017
U.S. renewable energy generation continues to grow at a healthy pace, according to data released May 25 by the Energy Information Administration (EIA).
The EIA report, which details energy generation for the first quarter of 2017, shows that utility-grade wind, solar and biomass generated 96.9 TWh from January to March, an increase of nearly 11% compared to Q1 2016 data. Utility-scale solar photovoltaic generation saw the highest gains, increasing more than 38% over Q1 2016. Wind power grew over 10%, while biomass saw slight reductions in generation.
U.S. renewable energy sources, including estimated small-scale solar installations but excluding hydroelectric, generated 10.7% of total U.S. energy in Q1 2017. Adding in hydroelectric generation pushes this figure to 19.35%. This number far surpasses a 2012 EIA estimate, which projected that renewable generation would hit 15% in 2035. The steady rise in solar installations driven by tax incentives and falling costs accounts for much of the total renewable growth.
Last month’s EIA data also indicates relatively steady nuclear generation and a 5% increase in coal generation over Q1 2016. Natural gas generation fell nearly 16%, but still accounts for 27.7% of total U.S. energy in Q1 2017.