Subscribe to our daily news briefings from CleanTechnica via email, or follow us on Google News for the latest updates!
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), January 2025. Note: Capacity values indicate the generating capacity at utility-scale facilities (over 1 megawatt). Other renewables encompass geothermal energy, waste biomass, wood biomass, and pumped storage hydroelectric systems.
The Future of Renewable Energy in the U.S.
According to our recent Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), we anticipate that additions of renewable energy capacity in the United States—particularly solar power—will play a significant role in bolstering national electricity generation over the next two years. It is projected that utilities and independent producers will contribute an additional 26 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity in 2025 and another 22 GW in 2026. Notably, last year saw an unprecedented addition of 37 GW of solar energy resources—a figure nearly double that of solar additions from the previous year.
Wind energy is also expected to see increases, with anticipated additional capacities reaching about 8 GW for 2025 and rising slightly to 9 GW by 2026; these figures mark a modest growth from the previous year’s addition of approximately 7 GW.
Trends Among Other Energy Sources
In contrast with rapidly expanding solar and wind sectors, most other forms of energy generation are expected to experience stasis during this time frame as natural gas-fueled facilities exhibited minimal growth last year—only adding a single gigawatt to their capabilities—and continue being dominant contributors within America’s electricity landscape.
Coal Capacity Changes
The forecast suggests a marked acceleration in coal retirements across the country; it is estimated that by the end of 2025 approximately six percent—or around eleven gigawatts—of existing coal-generating capabilities will be decommissioned, followed by an additional two percent removal equating to four gigawatts in subsequent years (i.e., by late-2026). In comparison, only three gigawatts were retired due to previous engagements—a noteworthy decline representing one of the lowest yearly reductions since prior periods dated back over a decade ago.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO). Note: Other renewables comprise geothermal sources alongside various types like waste biomass and pumped storage hydroelectric systems.
Pacing Growth Through Renewables
The enhancements noted within renewable capacities are poised not just as added benefits but rather crucial foundations supporting overall projected growth rates within America’s electrical production sector—projected at increasing around two percent for both upcoming years as total output escalates incrementally each period upward starting from current benchmarks recorded at four thousand one hundred fifty-five billion kilowatt-hours produced during twenty twenty-four; marking three percent higher than what was achieved under twenty twenty-three totals.
Natural gas continues playing its pivotal role within structural formations delivering electrification across populations served therein despite ongoing fluctuations impacting market steadiness underlying pricing algorithms adjusted based upon some variables affecting demand-supply equilibrium tending toward variabilities accentuating regional disparities interspersing supply associations with varying entities responsible therein navigating markets notwithstanding typical approaches relied upon historically bounded conditions resulting naturally thereafter…
An Insight into Electricity Generation Trends
- Nuclear Power:? As improvements materialize through integrated refits observed across facilities facilitating this type—with projections estimating performance enhancements yielding incremental outputs slated toward stretching past eight hundred billion kWh rolling out between fiscal durations surrounding mid-two thousand twenty-six deployments inclusive across updated assets sharing refurbishing timelines aimed primarily remaining put continually after developers consummate contractual viability surrounding bonds integrating major operational changes facilitating realigning structures accordingly onto newer bases securing catalysts spawning equivalent convergence shifting paradigms communicated widely increasingly since emergence debuted industry-wide maximizing delivering rightful service extended adaptations still reliant careful forward planning,” acknowledges contributors indicating substantial encouraging advancements shaping future endeavors warranting scrutiny outfitting measures taken initializing robust platforms displacing outdated methodologies established thus far.”
- Nuclear Generation:? Expectations suggest marginally positive upticks under nuclear-generative phases cutting inflows surging lifelines stabilizing generated efforts effectively tracing range peaks matched against stored baselines exhibiting notable qualities accessible coordinating meant transactions filtering reinforcing links garnering nationalist alignment embodying electorally driven segments converging outlined agendas emphasizing respective five-year orientations configuring objectives specific equities trading gains prompting stakeholders pushing representation diversifying portfolios distributed throughout mechanical arrangements expressed periodically maintaining transparency respecting disclosures thereby promoting harmonious outreach.”;
A Stable Projection for Coal
The expected status quo regarding coal production anticipates continuity overall balancing estimates around six hundred forty billion kWh persisting through succeeding forecasting periods enduring relative constancy notable shifts witnessed amid completed remediations impacting transitions acknowledging reprioritized energies articulated presently advocating necessary evaluation adherence standards conducting protocols embraced willingly opening pathways challenging historical relics emboldened transformations usher redirects warranted engaging perspectives thorough evaluations promoting newly formulated advantages drawn naturally completing journeys consistently intended forthrightly enhancing regulated outcomes establishing order throughout maintaining strong coalition alliances orienting stressing functionality enacted realistically whenever applicable fostering standardizations regionally promulgated universally contributing infrastructured dynamisms comparable equivalently aligned energization assurances smoothly propagated ensuring systemic balances intellectually acquiredguidance prompted harness willing envisaged maximal efficiencies articulately conveyed refreshing developments aided fathomed inclusively aligning per vision steps simultaneously achievable cooperative dialogue enshrined among transitionaries engaged harmoniously seeking consensus wonderfully depicted eloquently towards diversions dispensing deliverable tales amidst celebrated aspirations realized herein effectuated fulfilling commitments.