中文
Wind power generation in the United States is poised to surpass coal-fired electricity output, possibly as early as 2026, driven by the rapid expansion of wind supply and steady reduction of coal capacity by utilities across the country, Reuters reported.
While coal-fired power remains the second-largest source of electricity after natural gas, the growth of wind power is on track to overtake coal in the overall power generation mix, marking a significant milestone in the country's transition to cleaner energy.
In recent years, US power producers have accelerated the development of renewables while scaling back on coal-based production in an effort to curb emissions and combat climate change.
In 2015, coal-fired electricity generation was nearly 700% higher than that from wind farms. Comparatively, coal power generation may be approximately 50% larger than wind for the entire 2023, as wind generation typically sees a late-year surge due to higher wind speeds.
The US has reduced coal capacity by 30% and increased wind capacity by over 90% since 2015, making wind power the largest provider of clean electricity.
Further cuts to coal capacity are expected in the coming years, with utilities announcing plans to decrease overall coal capacity from 318 GW in 2011 to 159 GW by the end of 2026, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.
While US wind generation of 42.85 TW briefly surpassed coal-fired power of 39.8 TW in April, it experienced a decline afterward due to unusually low wind speeds.
Wind output rebounded in August-October and is expected to remain strong throughout the year, particularly as winter approaches and wind speeds traditionally increase.
It should be noted that the intermittent nature of wind power necessitates the availability of electricity from more stable fossil-fuel power plants when renewable energy supply decreases. Nevertheless, gas-fired plants are also being utilized for their lower pollution emissions compared to coal-fired units.
(Writing by Riley Liang Editing by Harry Huo)
For any questions, please contact us by inquiry@fwenergy.com or +86-351-7219322.
